Determined Salford show their character
THE scene of one of the most dramatic moments in the club’s history, Salford returned to KCOM Craven Park and again produced a stunning fightback to overcome Hull KR.
There might not have been promotion and relegation riding on the result this time round, but it required almost as much spirit and determination to overturn a 14-point half-time deficit and run out 24-22 victors.
“I think that was really good for us as a team and as a group going forward,” said coach Ian Watson.
“To be able to show that kind of mentality after so many errors in the first half and after putting ourselves under so much pressure, to turn the tide like that in the second half shows real good character in the team and a good team spirit.
“It was 22-8 at half-time and I just felt that if we could cut the errors out, we’d win the game. If we could complete the sets and put the pressure on KR, because in the first half, we were letting it off.
“In the first half we started the game really well and I thought we were on the front foot with some of our attack and we looked the more dangerous team, but we kept compounding errors on our own tryline and giving them the opportunity to attack us.
“We just spoke at half-time about tidying that area up because we were carrying the ball too loose, it was us that were our own downfall, but once we rectified that in the second half I thought we did really good.”
On the back of a comprehensive defeat at home to Leeds Rhinos the previous week, the manner of the result may well prove even more important as the season progresses and comes at the start of a run of tough fixtures.
“I think it’s a big one this,” admitted Watson. “I don’t think too many teams will come to KR and win, it’s a tough place to go.
“I know we’ve had a few decent results coming here of late, but KR are a good team and they’ve recruited really well. They show it in the way they play, they play a great style of football.
“I think they’ll be really tough to beat here so for us to get two points and come back the way we did, I think is great credit to all of the players out there.”
The result means Salford have won three out of their opening four fixtures, so far defying most preseason expectations of a season of struggle. “It’s a great start for us, it’s what we wanted,” said Watson. “We’d have loved four out of four, but it wasn’t to be last week. Going into these games now, we’ve got St Helens, Catalans and Castleford, it sets us up nicely to compete.”
Meanwhile, Hull FC made history by beating Wigan in the first ever Super League match to be decided in golden point extra time. After the game finished 22-22, Marc Sneyd slotted over a drop goal to secure the win.