After the great win at Castleford last week the Reds needed to build on that victory at the KC Lightstream Stadium to establish their top four credentials.
But Coach Ian Watson was harshly critical after Salford went down to Hull KR 44 points to 30, saying pointedly that some players were “not prepared to play”.
The only changes were Watson moving Gareth O’Brien to stand-off to replace the injured Robert Lui while Niall Evalds slotted in at full-back.
The Reds got off to a great start with a try from Craig Kopczak who forced his way over for a fairly easy try in the 3rd minute. The sure-footed Gareth O’Brien added the conversion for a 0-6 lead.
In the 15th minute Rovers hit back when Maurice Blair scrambled over the try line after Murdoch Masila stood off a tackle. Josh Mantellato booted home his kick to draw the sides’ level at 6-6.
Two minute later the Rovers were ahead when a break by Ben Cockayne found the Reds defence wanting and led to centre Ian Thornley striding over to score. Mantellato added the conversion for a 12-6 lead.
Things then went from bad to worse when Niall Evalds failed to gather a kick from Blair which led to Graeme Horne crossing for Rovers third try. Mantellato converted for an 18-6 lead.
In the 36th minute the Rovers stretched their lead when a series of forward looking passes enabled winger Ken Sio to cross in the corner by the flag 22-6.
Mantellato then added a penalty but there was more try-scoring action to come when slack Reds defence saw James Greenwood romp through to score. Mantellato added his fifth kick for a 30-6 half-time lead.
In the 44th minute the Reds began a fightback when Michael Dobson broke through and found George Griffin in support to score by the posts. O’Brien added the kick 30-12.
Three minutes later George Griffin repeated the feat to notch his second try. O’Brien added the extras for a 30-18 score line.
In the 59th minute the Reds got within touching distance of the Robins when a break down the right flank made inroads before the ball was moved wide to the left where Greg Johnson squeezed in by the flag. O’Brien added a great touchline kick to leave the Reds just six points behind at 30-24.
The Reds though continued to be their own worst enemies when they allowed Ryan Shaw to score. Mantellato added the conversion (36-24).
A Mantellato penalty not long after brought a score of 38-24 before Kopczak crashed over for his second try. O’Brien goaled to set up a tense final few minutes with the Reds behind at 38-30.
Rovers though had the final say when scrum-half Matty Marsh streaked twenty-five yards to score. Mantellato added his eighth goal to clinch a first win of the season for the Humbersider’s at 44-30.
After a bright start the Reds only had themselves to blame for throwing away their chance to break into the top four.
Coach Ian Watson commented later: “Certain individuals weren’t doing their role in the team. If certain individuals are not prepared to play, that’s what happens.
“They started completing their sets at 100 per cent and that makes it hard to defend against.
“We’re an honest group and we spoke honestly about the first half where people were letting us down.
“We put it to the players and they agreed. We’ve got to have a team philosophy all the time and we fell away from that in the first half.”
Salford: Evalds, Carney, S’au, J Griffin, Johnson, O’Brien, Dobson, Kopczak, Lee, G Griffin, Murdoch-Masila, Jones, Lannon.
Subs: Flanagan, A Walne, Tomkins, Joseph.
Attendance: 6,593
Main image: Josh Mantellato – Hull KR Instagram
