The Road to Wembley is being followed by Salford and with the win against Hull KR yesterday a Wembley appearance is getting closer. Paul Whiteside looks back at another win.
Challenge Cup fever arrived at the AJ Bell stadium with Tim Sheens Hull Kingston Rovers the visitors. The Robins arrived in high spirits currently sitting top of the championship. The first half got under way at a real fast pace.
Rovers made a early break showing Salford the speed they possess. The Red Devil's first real chance came on the back of some good powerful running from Lami Tasi and Ben Murdoch Masila laying the platform for Robert Lui to work his magic. Lui's neat kick through looked to provide a try for the in form Kris Welham but he was unluckily denied by the video referee.
The opening points deservingly come for the Robins when from a set scrum Shaun Lunt races sixty yards on the blind side to score a try. Jamie Ellis adds the goal 0-6.
Shortly after Lunt tries his luck blind side from another scrum and Salford are caught asleep again! It's poetry in motion for the experienced rovers hooker who darts over for his second try.Ellis adds the goal 0-12.
The visitors then extended there lead to 0-14 with a penalty goal to add to Salford's frustration. Just before half time there was a chink of light for the Red Devil's as Ryan Lannon collected Micheal Dobson's grubber to score. The Salford scrum half converted the goal and it was 6-14 at the break.
Whatever Ian Watson said to his side at the break they certainly took note. Craig Kopczack charging through showing great pace to stand the full back up for a super try. Dobson's goal pegs the score back to 12-14. Salford came out firing and wave after wave attack the rovers line continued.
The pressure was relentless and the Hull Kingston Rovers cracked when the excellent Kris Brining raced away from a set scrum to put Salford in front for the first time. Dobson couldnt convert at 16-14.
The game is still on a knife edge with a tremendous atmosphere in the stadium. Lannon bursts through and showed great speed, some how the cover defence caught him just short of the line. Rovers laid on too long and Butler Fleming was sin binned. Dobson wisely takes the two points on offer and it's 18-14 Salford.
Kris Welham again had a superb game. His clever kick through and willingness in defence forced a drop out. From the next play Murdoch Masila went close only to be denied by the video referee.
The Rovers continue to battle away and after Tasi is penalised for a high tackle a chance seems certain. Nerve jangling moments for the Red Devil's and all their supporters before a huge sigh of relief when Ben Cockyanes pass ended up in touch. Then came the match winning Salford play!
Substitute Gareth O Brien put the high kick up which caused panic for Rovers Welham is on hand to calmly palm the ball back to Murdoch Masila who crashes over to send Salford in to the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup.
Michael Dobson kicks off the touch line to make the game safe.
A real tough night for Salford who's Wembley dream lives on. Willie Poching was delighted with the second half defence, stating the 9 days before the next match against Leigh at the magic weekend is what the players need.
Rest and preparation is vital now after a very busy period in the season. Final score Salford 24 Hull Kr 14.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail podcast all your Salford Red Devil's chat, Paul Parkin joins us for all the big news of the week, Adam Walne and Lami Tasi talk about the Wigan Win with Ian Watson and lots more Salford chat tune in.
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