Salford 16-26 Hull KR: Mikey Lewis brace helps Robins beat Red Devils

Mikey Lewis scored a brace to inspire Hull KR to their second win of the Super League season as they secured a hard-earned 26-16 victory over Salford.

Tony Smith’s side led 18-0 at the break but they were pegged back by a determined Salford fightback which saw them get within two points of the visitors with a quarter of the game remaining.

Both teams suffered heavy defeats in their last outings against Huddersfield and St Helens respectively. But it was Hull KR who looked to have rediscovered their form the quicker with half-backs Lewis and Jordan Abdull directing their team around the field with impressive authority.

Abdull’s kicking game was exceptional, especially in the first half when the rain was teeming down and caused no end of problems for Salford full-back Ryan Brierley. He also landed five goals from as many attempts.

Match report

Hull KR scored three tries in the first half to take a hold of the game. Their first came after 15 minutes when a short kick by scrum-half Abdull was spilled by Brierley. Elliot Minchella was the quickest to react to the loose ball as he scored under the posts, with Abdull adding the conversion.

Nine minutes before half-time, a well-timed short pass from Albert Vete found Matty Storton and he powered over from close range as Abdull once again added the extras.

Salford, who have now lost their last three games – having started the campaign with back-to-back wins – were reduced to 12 men four minutes before the break. Forward Ryan Lannon was sent to the sin-bin for obstruction.

Rovers took full advantage, adding a third try on the stroke of half-time. Lewis spied a gap in the Salford defensive line and kicked ahead from 10 metres out, winning the race for the ball and touching down in front of the travelling fans.

Abdull again made no mistake with the conversion to give his side a commanding 18-0 lead at the break.

More on Super League

Wakefield 18-6 Toulouse: Trinity claim first win of the season

Will Hopoate grateful for St Helens support of tsunami-hit Tonga

Joe Cator vows to come back bigger and better after cruel injury blow

HT: Salford Red Devils 0-18 Hull KR

Despite starting the second half with 12 men, Paul Rowley’s men claimed their first points of the night three minutes after the restart. Some quick passing along the line gave Ken Sio sight of the try-line and he finished off in the corner for his seventh of the season, while Marc Sneyd added the extras.

The try visibly lifted Salford. They scored a second try after 56 minutes after back-rower Shane Wright was able to touch down a kick that was delicately prodded through by Sneyd, who was this time unable to add the conversion.

The home side’s impressive second-half recovery continued with a third score just after the hour mark.

Hull KR had been enjoying their best spell of the second half when a long pass to the wing was picked out by Sneyd, who raced 70 metres before turning the ball inside to winger Joe Burgess, who sprinted to the try-line and Sneyd’s successful goal cut the visitors’ once 18-point lead to just two.

But Salford’s comeback was snuffed out when Hull KR scored their only try of the half after 70 minutes.

A hanging high kick by Abdull completely caught the Salford defence cold. Frankie Halton plucked the ball from the sky. His pass sent Mikey Lewis over for his second try of the night.

Abdull successfully converted and also kicked a penalty on the hooter to seal the victory.

FT: Salford Red Devils 16-26 Hull KR

Salford: Brierley; Sio, Cross, Lafai, Burgess; Croft, Sneyd; Akauola, Ackers, Vuniyayawa, Wright, Greenwood, Addy. Subs: Taylor, Lannon, Ormondroyd, Gerrard.

Tries: Sio, Wright, Burgess Goals: Sneyd 2

Hull KR: Dagger; Wood, Keinhorst, Kenny-Dowall, Hall; Lewis, Abdull; Garratt, Parcell, King, Halton, Linnett, Minchella. Subs: Vete, Hadley, Storton, Litten.

Tries: Minchella, Storton, Lewis (2) Goals: Abdull 5

PLAY: Our free Fantasy Rugby League competition is back for 2022