Salford are made to suffer as Hull KR rediscover their form
LACHLAN Coote joined the 100-try club as Hull KR ended a run of four defeats in all competitions with a 43-16 victory over Salford Red Devils.
The former St Helens star notched his 100th and 101st career touch downs in a personal haul of 23 points as Tony Smith’s side completed a Super League double over their previously in-form visitors.
Evergreen winger Ryan Hall and centre Ben Crooks also added try doubles with Rovers’ other touchdown coming from fellow wingman, Ethan Ryan.
Kallum Watkins, Deon Cross and Joe Burgess crossed for Paul Rowley’s well-beaten team.
Full-back Coote put Rovers ahead after 12 minutes, taking his career try tally into three figures. The Scottish international followed-up his own lasttackle kick to pluck the ball from Ken Sio’s grasp to touch down.
Three minutes later Coote struck again, finishing off Matt Parcell’s break after Elijah Taylor crucially missed his tackle on hooker Parcell.
Coote goaled both and Rovers led 12-0.
There was no repeat of a visiting comeback this time as Rovers rarely threatened to lose their grip on this top-six booster.
Salford were certainly authors of their own downfall when the home side scored try number three after 23 minutes.
Tom Lafai was adjudged to have knocked on bringing the ball out of his own 10 metres zone. From the scrum, Rovers moved the ball to their left and Rowan Milnes’ superblyflighted pass gave Hall a walk-in try.
Coote added another touchline conversion to maximise the Robins’ impressive start.
Salford needed a response and courtesy of Parcell’s rash pass on his own line, they achieved it as Watkins swooped on the loose ball.
Marc Sneyd goaled only for Coote’s drop goal at the interval to restore Rovers’ advantage. And Hull strengthened their position with a fourth try and second from Hall after 48 minutes.
Livewire Lewis began the attack from deep, seizing on a loose Sneyd pass before Shaun Kenny-Dowall supplied the final pass for Hall to cross in the corner. Coote boosted his points tally with another goal.
Salford’s cause suffered a further setback after 58 minutes when Tyler Dupree was sin-binned after a midfield skirmish.
Dupree was still off the field when winger Ryan put the result beyond doubt with his side’s fifth try.
Crooks added two more as Salford lost Harvey Livett to the bin for dissent before Cross and Burgess replied late on.