Castleford v Salford Big Match Preview
Both sides will be looking to bounce back after defeats last week. Despite racing into a twelve point lead Castleford were pegged back in their match with Wigan. The Warriors eventually made the game safe with tries from Liam Farrell and Joe Bullock in the final quarter. Two players who featured for Salford in 2019 are now playing for the Tigers. George Griffin is a real work horse in the pack and Derrell Olpherts is going well on the wing. One man who made an impression on me with his performance last weekend was Gareth O Brien.
The former Salford hero has been brought in at Castleford for this season on a short term deal from Toronto. He looked as sharp as ever against Wigan, scoring a try as well as linking up superbly in attack. With Niall Evalds joining the Tigers in 2021 where will that leave O’Brien? One thing is for sure he would fit it to most Super League sides and deserves to be playing top flight Rugby League. It will be interesting to see how that one works out.
Salford were brushed aside by Leeds last Saturday with injuries to Ryan Lannon, Josh Johnson, Ken Sio and Chris Akin. Coach Ian Watson will have to shuffle things round this week.
Super League Home record.
Salford 9
Draws 0
Castleford 13
1997 Salford 4 Castleford 0
1998 Salford 8 Castleford 18
1999 Salford 17 Castleford 29
2000 Salford 16 Castleford 22
2001 Salford 18 Castleford 26
2002 Salford 16 Castleford 74
2002 Salford 10 Castleford 20
2004 Salford 30 Castleford 14
2006 Salford 26 Castleford 16
2009 Salford 12 Castleford 18
2010 Salford 22 Castleford 28
2011 Salford 8 Castleford 15
2012 Salford 10 Castleford 24
2013 Salford 34 Castleford 30
2014 Salford 23 Castleford 16
2015 Salford 20 Castleford 22
2016 Salford 22 Castleford 18
2017 Salford 13 Castleford 12
2017 Salford 4 Castleford 23 ( super eights)
2018 Salford 6 Castleford 24
2019 Salford 26 Castleford 16
2019 Salford 22 Castleford 0 (playoffs)
They played for both.
Throughout the Super League era there have been plenty of players who have played for both clubs and quite a few through the 1970s and 80s.
Here is a selection of them ;
Paul Orr, Bill Kirkbride, Jonny Ward, Barry Kear, Ron Hill, Ian Bragger, Justin Carney, Chris Charles, Jason Critchley, Luke Dorn, Greg Eden, Jake Emmit, Jason Flowers, Matt Gardner, Ashley Gibson, Wayne Godwin, Weller Hauraki, Lee Jewitt, Michael Korkidas, Francis Maloney, Mike Platt, Darren Rogers, Darren Shaw, Mark Sneyd, Gray Viane, Derrell Olpherts and George Griffin.
A match to remember Sunday 16th March 1997.
Salford 4 Castleford 0.
After two excellent seasons outside the top flight, a day Salford supporters will remember for ever in the cup against Wigan and a Divisional premiership victory at Old Trafford 1997 saw our first step in to the glamorous new world of The European Super League.
Salford Reds had started 1997 in good form with a resounding victory away at Castleford in The Challenge cup. Progress was made to the cup semi finals with a 8-4 win over Paris and a 10-29 win at Warrington. It’s fair to say The Reds went in to this league encounter in top form.
It was a very nervous affair with both side defending well not giving much away. The Tigers were led by power house forwards Lee Crooks, Nathan Sykes and Dean Sampson came up against Salford’s formidable pack which was big and mobile. The vast experience of Peter Edwards, Andy Platt and Paul Forber along with the tough as teak David Hulme lined up for The Reds.
The match was Settled by local winger Phil Coussons try in the corner.
A late kick and chase from Castleford three quarter Simon Middleton had the Salford faithfuls nerves jangling. The ball ran dead at the Variety club end of the ground as the hooter sounded.
Things got even better for Andy Gregory’s side with four more consecutive league victories to make 1997 a season to remember.
Referee, Stuart Cummings.
Attendance, 5,726.
Thursday’s match.
On paper this looks a real intriguing match. Castleford have a rough and ready pack with players like Grant Millington, Adam Milner, Liam Watts providing the platform for the ever elusive hooker Paul McShane to work from. Half backs Jacob Trueman and Danny Richardson are an exciting young pair with plenty of pace. In the back row Mike McMeeken and Oliver Holmes can cause damage running wide out in the three quarters. Having already mentioned Gareth O’Brien we can just add to that the quick back line the Tigers posses. Michael Shenton is now 34 years old but still has the ability to create and score tries.
Salford were well beaten by Leeds and it was difficult to find positives from that performance. The welsh edge of Rhys Williams and Elliot Kear again worked well together and Kris Welham put a real shift in. Niall Evalds bagged two tries and every time he had the ball looked sharp and dangerous. The pack didn’t get going last weekend and were dominated by Leeds. This is something Castleford coach Daryl Powell will be targeting. Salford’s game plan against Leeds had to be re written due to losing Ken Sio early in the match. Ian Watson will be hoping for better luck with injuries this Thursday.
Stay safe and enjoy the match everyone.
Paul Whiteside
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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