Salford 22 Castleford 10 Match report
Salford Red Devils ladies returned to winning ways with a impressive home win against Castleford Tigers.
Coming of the back of two defeats Chris Bates ladies showed great intensity thoughout the contest to upset the tigers rhythm and secure the points.
It started well for Salford as Castlefords kickoff failed to go 10 metres, this gave Salford opportunity to build pressure. 3 minutes later and Salford scrum half Demi Jones who was busy throughout, found fullback Sage Bannister 40 metres from the Castleford line. She went on a weaving run beating 4 Castleford defenders to open the scoring for the Red Devils.
Salford had momentum and the opportunities to extended their lead, a strong Salford defence caused a error by Castleford Tigers Scrum half Jones kicked for the corner unfortunately Salford winger Hollie Jones was unable to gather under pressure from the Castleford defence and the chance went away.
Castleford asked questions of the Salford defence early on in the contest with 2nd row Amy Boardman caused chaos in the Salford defence with a strong run. Salford scrambled well and with some heroic defence prevented the score.
Salford scored again after 15 minutes a high Castleford kick was gathered by Salford hooker Taz Cocoran on her 20 metre line, she offloaded to fullback Bannister who raced away to score from 70 metres. The Castleford defence tried their best to stop the Salford fullback but full of confidence after the try earlier in the game and last weeks stunning effort against Featherstone.There was only going to be one winner in the race to the line. Demi Jones converted and Salford lead 10-0.
Castleford continued to plug away and tested the Salford defence again Courtney Evans linked up with Chloe Smith sending the 2nd row forward rampaging towards the Salford line, centre Steph Gray was alert to the danger and made a superb cover tackle.
Alex Simpson and wing partner Hollie Jones asked questions of the Tigers defence in this thrilling contest, Jones sent Simpson rampaging though a creaking Cas defence who just about managed to stop the score, Hollie and Demi Jones were lurking waiting for the opportunity post points.
In this see saw contest Cas Tigers Winger Lauren Waller was next to test the Salford defence, collecting a pass from Smith she raced away only for fullback Bannister to make a fantastic one on one tackle.
Unfortunately this only delayed the score as forward Lisa Box burst the Salford line, the tigers built pressure for Smith to grubber kick through for the score.
Salford wrestled the initiative back and after a strong run by Steph Gray and Loose Forward Brogan Evans gave Salford territory and ball Forward Yasmin Parton Sotomayor dismantled the Cas defence. Running though 6 attempted tackles to score. She was just too big, too powerful and too good for the Castleford defence as Salford extended their lead to 14-4.
Phoebie Partington limped off towards the end of the half after a impressive stint but with Hanna Wicks and Aofie McKenna coming on for Salford the battle in the forwards went up a notch.
The 2nd half started well for Salford as McKenna forced a error and Salford took advantage, Captain Louise Fellingham went close as did Cocoran shortly after.
A drop out by Castleford gave Salford the ball, after good work my Fellingham and Bannister Steph Gray cut through the Tigers defence from 20 metres for the critical score.
Salford had confidence running through the team and more pressure was put on the Tigers defence only last ditch defensive efforts from Cas Tigers Allana Walker stopped Captain Fellingham getting on the score sheet in the far corner.
The Tigers refused to let their heads drop, a sweeping move had Salfords defence in scramble mode again Amy Boardmen grubber kicked though but Salford fullback Bannister was on hand to defuse the danger and start a counter attack which Salfords Abbie Collins burst the Cas defence running 40 metres to put Salford in good territory. Unfortunately for Salford Megan Condiliffe who was impressive throughout and Fellingham again were denying close to the line by desperate Tigers defence.
Salford were rewarded with a try shortly after a drop out and more good work by Salford put Alex Simpson over the line despite the efforts of several Cas defenders to extend their lead to 22-4.
Castleford completed the scoring on the day to make the score 22-10.
In the dying moments of the game Gray and Winger Lauren Ellison had half chances to extend Salford lead but Cas defence stood firm.
As the final hooter sounded the Salford faithful roared their appreciation in the stadium, a very good performance from 1 to 17 a super league performance which will excite Chris Bates and the Salford faithful about what is to come in the next few weeks.
Match report by Rob Parkinson
Pictures by Steve McCormick
Comments
Post a Comment