Hull Kingston Rovers' stunning form went on as they secured an eighth win in a row by beating Salford 32-12 - with Jack Broadbent scoring two tries - and guaranteed their highest-ever Super League finish.

Rovers are going to better their highest-ever placing of fourth but this thrashing of Salford Red Devils was more evidence that they are equipped for a tilt at the League Leaders' Shield with a big game against Wigan Warriors away on the horizon. The amount that they controlled this game against a sometimes dangerous and unpredictable team was admirable - and it was comfortable again, as they coasted home in the end.

Rovers had a big change on the team sheet with Joe Burgess out, understood to be injured, and Tom Opacic recalled to the starting line-up at centre, with Broadbent moved out to start on the right wing, as Oliver Gildart's absence went on. Stand-in Broadbent made hay with his two tries as Rovers took command.

Elsewhere, Matty Storton started in James Batchelor's absence with a ban, while Jack Brown was promoted on to the bench.

Visiting coach Paul Rowley has described a 45-minute delay in them arriving at Craven Park as being "fashionably late" but it was not ideal preparation for them, and they did not look like a high-flying team here - but that was credit to the pressure Rovers put on them.

Hull KR made an ideal start when Niall Evalds flung the ball out wide to the right where stand-in winger Broadbent wriggled over. Although the Robins were dominant, they were soon stunned though as Salford scored a breakaway try as the ball was shifted wide to Ethan Ryan who teed up Joe Mellor to charge down the right flank for a long-distance try, and Marc Sneyd added a difficult two-pointer to go 6-4 up.

Rovers levelled it at 6-6 when Mikey Lewis slotted over a simple kick in front of the posts after a penalty for offside. But Salford kept causing problems with their kicking game - and Niall Evalds spilling a kick from Sneyd in dangerous territory was a warning.

Lewis earned Rovers valuable territory with an impressive 40-20 kick and Jai Whitbread, who had been important in the early stages, took advantage as he battered his way over after being teed up by Matty Parcell- then Lewis added the extras to give Rovers a 12-6 lead.

And there was more Lewis magic when he extended Rovers lead with a typically impressive try, after collecting Tyrone May's pass and then going on a brilliant run, evading Salford's weak defence, to dart over in the left-hand corner. He missed the tricky conversion but Willie Peters' men were 16-6 up. And there was still time for another Rovers try before the break as Evalds and Hiku quickly shifted the ball right and the stand-in winger Broadbent pounced in space for his second of the night.

The Robins made a great start to the second half too, punishing more slack Salford defence, as there was great work from Hiku who dummed and teed him Opacic to stretch over for a try on his comeback - and Lewis added the two, to huge cheers, which the Hull-born player appeared to enjoy, joining in with the celebrations. It was already looking like game over at that stage for Salford in the early stages of the second period.

Rovers carried on looking in control although there was a scare for them when Jesse Sue was down in pain for some time before hobbling off. The home side though motored on and Whitbread made another strong run, leading to Jez Litten burrowing his way over and Litten adding the extras to make it 32-6. Salford did manage a late consolation when Nene Macdonald showed strength and skill to go over from close range for a try - but overall they were well-beaten by a far better side on the night.

Read more:Rhyse Martin arrival shows Hull KR are becoming a big club - and that is unlikely to change soon

Hull KR: 2 Niall Evalds, 36 Jack Broadbent, 1 Peta Hiku, 3 Tom Opacic, 5 Ryan Hall, 27 Tyrone May, 7 Mikey Lewis, 8 Jesse Sue, 14 Matt Parcell, 16 Jai Whitbread, 11 Dean Hadley, 17 Matty Storton, 13 Elliot Minchella. Subs: 9 Jez Litten, 15 Sam Luckley, 20 Kelepi Tanginoa, 37 Jack Brown. 18th man: George King.

Salford Red Devils: 23 Chris Hankinson, 2 Ethan Ryan, 3 Nene Macdonald, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Deon Cross, 32 Jayden Nikorima, 7 Marc Sneyd, 8 Brad Singleton, 24 Joe Mellor, 15 Shane Wright, 11 Sam Stone, 12 Kallum Watkins, 13 Oliver Patrington. Subs: 14 Chris Atkin, 16 Joe Shorrocks, 17 Jack Ormondroyd, 28 Harvey Wilson. 18th man: Joe Bullock.

Scorers: Hull KR tries: Broadbent (2), Whitbread, Lewis, Opacic, Litten. Goals: Lewis 4/7.

Scorers: Salford tries: Mellor, Macdonald. Goals: Sneyd 2/2.

Scoring sequence: 4-0, 4-6, 6-6, 12-6, 16-6, 20-6, HT, 26-6, 32-6, 32-12.

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