Hull KR make it two from three in the qualifiers
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 14/11/16 1:44pm
Hull KR made it two wins out of three in the Super League qualifiers with an outstanding show and a 16-point haul by Josh Mantellato in a 29-12 victory over Salford.
Hull KR made a flying start with Mantellato taking a smart pass from Ben Cockayne to score in the corner. Mantellato then converted to fire his side 6-0 ahead after only three minutes.
Salford were making elementary mistakes with George Griffin losing possession on the first tackle after Michael Dobson forced Rovers into a goal-line drop out.
The error proved costly with Albert Kelly's kick eluding Gareth O'Brien, who slipped trying to field the ball, and James Greenwood touched down. Mantellato's conversion made it 12-0.
Then Greg Johnson dropped the ball from another goal-line drop out in a disastrous start for the Red Devils. Mantellato stretched the Rovers lead with a penalty conceded by Griffin.
Salford finally managed to breach the Rovers defence midway through the first half with Mason Caton-Brown taking Rob Lui's pass to dive over in the corner for a well-taken try.
Mantellato added another penalty to make it 16-4 after Craig Kopczak's infringement.
It was a polished display by Hull KR with Kelly's 40-20 putting Salford under more pressure as Ken Sio waltzed through Lui's poor tackle attempt and stretched the lead to 22-4.
Johnson almost went over for Salford but was pushed into touch. Salford added an O'Brien penalty on the stroke of half-time but it was an error-ridden opening 40 minutes by his side.
Johnson made another mistake almost straight from the restart before Sio saved a try with a thundering tackle on Caton-Brown who was injured and had to be substituted.
O'Brien dummied his way past Kelly to grab Salford's second try after 51 minutes and converted his own effort to cut the gap to 22-12.
But O'Brien spilled the ball from the restart to sum up Salford's performance and a third Mantellato penalty and Kelly drop goal added to their troubles.
Kelly's kick brought Thomas Minns a late try to cap a fine Rovers show.
