Salford hang on for narrow win over Hull KR

Hull Kingston Rovers' winning start to the new Super League season was brought to an end at Salford.

The Red Devils led 12-0 at the break after first-half tries from Deon Cross and Chris Hankinson, both converted by Hull FC old boy Marc Sneyd.

The visitors rallied, scoring second-half tries from full-back Peta Hiku and hooker Jez Litten.

But the kicking skills of man of the match Sneyd proved crucial in the end as he silenced the visiting Hull hecklers to close out victory.

He landed two second-half penalties - to make it four goals from four attempts - and a crucial late drop-goal to ruin the evening for the 1,200 away fans.

Both sides had a player sent to the sin-bin in an increasingly frantic second half, as try scorers Cross and Hiku both received yellow cards.

Salford suffered a setback just before the game when full-back Ryan Brierley was forced to withdraw after pulling up injured during the warm-up and was replaced by the versatile Chris Atkin.

But it was Salford who adapted best to the wet conditions, taking the lead after 15 minutes when Sneyd's well-placed kick close to the Hull KR tryline was touched down by Cross.

They then got their second try when, after Atkin's pass to the right edge looked to be heading out of play, Hankinson did brilliantly to take the ball on the bounce and score in the corner - and Sneyd converted from the touchline.

Salford then went 16-0 up with two early second-half Sneyd penalties in three minutes, only to then have Cross sent to the sin-bin for obstruction.

Rovers took almost immediate advantage of the extra man as Mikey Lewis found Hiku, who slid over, but James Batchelor - kicking in place of Litten, who was off the field - could not add the conversion.

Just as Cross completed his spell in the sin-bin, KR were then down to 12 when Hiku was shown a yellow card for dissent. And, despite being a man down, the away side scored next when Litten followed up a fine break by Kelepi Tanginoa to go clear for a try, which he also converted. But Sneyd had the final say with the victory-sealing one-pointer.

Salford: Atkin; Hankinson, Macdonald, Lafai, Cross; Cust, Sneyd; Ormondroyd, Bourouh, Singleton, Stone, Watkins, Shorrocks.

Interchanges: Morgan, Vuniyayawa, Wright, Hellewell.

Sin-bin: Cross (53).

Hull KR: Hiku; Burgess, Opacic, Gildart, Hall; May, Lewis; Hadley, Litten, Whitbread, Tanginoa, Batchelor, Minchella.

Replacements: Sue, King, Parcell, Luckley.

Sin-bin: Hiku (63).

Referee: Tom Grant.