As far as traditional Rugby League grounds go Wheldon Road is one of the most authentic and one of the few that remain. Salford arrived on the back of a good performance against Leigh whilst the Tigers remained winless after six defeats.
It was a mild night but very blustery as the two sides warmed up. Salford’s Marc Sneyd full of concentration practiced his goal kicking in front of the travelling supporters at the old Railway end.
Castleford coach Craig Lingard lost Paul McShane in the warm up and had to shuffle things round. Veteran Joe Westerman started at loose forward with Danny Richardson and Jacob Miller in the halves.
Paul Rowley replaced Ethan Ryan on the wing with David Nofoaluma with the rest of the team staying pretty much the same as last Saturday.
The Red Devils took the ascendancy early with a Sneyd penalty goal and shortly after increased their lead with a nice try from fullback Ryan Brierley.
Castleford’s short pitch seemed to suit Salford’s style of play as they made easy yards looking dangerous every time they had possession.
Innes Senior struck for the home side with a break down the left. He’s a very tall lad with a good turn of pace and despite the best efforts of Brierley in defence Senior had to much power. Richardson converted 6-8.
The match saw a big turning point when Amir Bourouh was sin binned for a dangerous tackle. I don’t think Salford could argue with the decision from referee Chris Kendall. The Tigers took full advantage in Bourouh’s ten minute absence scoring two tries. First Sam Hall went over before Miller’s lovely kick picked out Senior for his second try. The home crowd lifted a few notches and the Tigers were well on top playing with renewed confidence.
Salford were given a chance just before the break. A clever Sneyd kick forced a drop out that went out on the full. From the next play slick passing out left provided a try for the elusive Tim Lafai. Sneyd booted the conversion to reduce the deficit to 18-14 at the break in what was a thoroughly entertaining first half.
The visitors needed a response at the start of the second half and when Nene McDonald raced away from a set scrum play Salford were back in front.
Shortly after they were in again after clicking through the gears with some super attacking rugby that Castleford couldn’t deal with. Joe Shorrocks burst through and kept his composure brilliantly to pick the right pass to Brierley who went in for his second try. Perhaps crucially Sneyd missed the conversion to end his run of kicks. 18-24.
The Tigers went mighty close but Josh Simm couldn’t take a bullet pass out wide.
The game arguably turned on a huge passage of play when Cade Cust was denied a try by the video referee. Brierley looked to have pinched the ball in a one on one tackle before finding the Salford stand off but no try was given on the field and it wasn’t overturned. It was a hammer blow moments later when the Tigers marched down the over end of the field with real momentum. Roared on by the vocal home supporters Senior swooped in for his hat trick and Richardson converted to level the scores at 24-24.
Substitutes Brad Martin and Liam Horne had caused Salford havoc all night with direct running and quick play around the ruck. A burst right down the middle saw Martin scamper to the line through some pretty mediocre defensive efforts.
Richardson took Castleford eight points clear with a penalty goal, 32-24 before desperate defence from the Tigers kept Salford out. Both Cust and Sneyd were denied tries by some frantic last ditch tackles.
The impressive Senior had the last word going in for his fourth try of the night late on. Senior and Sam wood had been so dangerous all night as a wing and centre partnership and they caused McDonald and Nofoaluma all sorts of problems.
On a night were Salford looked very impressive in attacking spells, composure and very poor defence was their downfall. The Tigers worked hard all over the pitch and deserved the two points.
The Red Devils have no game next week before a trip to face London the following week. The Broncos are still yet to win a game so Salford will need to be switched on to take two points from the capital.
Castleford 36 Salford 24.
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.
Paul Whiteside Rugby League 