Salford's second match of the super 8s was made even more significant with Thursday nights result. Wakefield thumped Leeds 38-6 to leapfrog the Red Devil's to move into 4th place. Salford would start the night in 6th. Visitors Castleford have been outstanding this year and a real model of consistency with just 3 defeats in the regular season.
There first defeat of the year came at the AJ Bell stadium back in march. A Gareth O Brien drop goal the difference in a 13-12 win for Salford. With 5 defeats on the spin Ian Watson and the boys were desperate for a victory to kick start the season and maintain the top 4 aspirations.
Tyrone McCarthy pulled up in the warm up and was replaced by Craig kopzack.
The Tigers were awarded a penalty after just twenty seconds which seemed to set the tone early on. Six minutes in Salford were denied a try for a forward pass on the next set great work from Paul McShane at dummy half sending Zak Hardacker over. Luke Gale adds the goal 0-6.
Salford start to find there feet and keep the ball alive brilliantly moving the ball across the field. Jake Bibby puts in a clever kick to force a drop out. On the next set Manu Vatuvei goes over in the corner only for the try to be ruled out very harshly by the video referee for obstruction. Hardacker grabbed his second try in the 27th minute. Racing over from a flat pass to scorch under the posts. A Luke Gale goal made it 0-12.
On the next set Gale kicked a 40-20 but some good solid defence from Salford forced the tigers into a mistake. Half time 0-12.
The Red Devil's were desperate for points, hanging on to the coat tails of the league leaders. 5 minutes into the second half the video referee was called in to action as Vatuvei pounced on a neat kick just before the dead ball line! The try was awarded but Todd Carney couldn't convert 4-12.
The Red Devil's upped the intensity asking real questions of the Tigers defence. Castleford are battle hardened in that department and came up with the answers.
Another huge call went against Salford when Ryan Lannon was denied a try for a forward pass. The pressure continued to build with both Kopczack and Lannon held up over the line. Just over 20 minutes remained when a real sucker punch try put the game further out of Salford's reach. McShane throwing an outrageous dummy to charge over for a well deserved try. Gales goal nudged the Tigers to 4-18.
Castleford then worked some magic the lively Hardacker breaking through finding Gale in support who's huge pass out to the wing put Jy Hitchcox over to seal the match. Gale missed the kick 4-22.
5 minutes from time the busy Gale dropped a goal to complete the scoring.
A night where Salford had quite a few chances and were also on the end of some tough calls from the official. Castleford we're pretty clinical with the ball and solid in defence.
Ian Watson was focusing on the positives after the match. Another excellent display from new signing Manu Vatuvei. Salford travel to Wigan next Friday for what looks another very difficult match. This super eight competition is certainly starting to hot up with the Red Devil's needing a win to keep there top four dreams alive.
Salford 4 Castleford 23
This report was by Paul Whiteside from The Devil in the detail.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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