Salford v Castleford Big Match preview
On the way to Leeds last Friday I chatted with my dad and daughter Imogen about the eighty minutes in store. I’ll be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect from Salford. I knew Leeds would come out all guns blazing in front of a big expectant crowd and they duly did. The Red Devils certainly took the sting out of their hosts and quietened the crowd down. Marc Sneyd was excellent with his place kicking and ability to guide the team. One thing that stood out was Salford’s heroic defence. The Rhinos have a huge pack but they failed to bust Salford through the middle. Paul Rowley’s side defended their goal line like trojans at times.
The highlight of the first half saw Leeds winger Ash Handley race away to score a try that will be right up there as a try of the season contender. My dad likened Handley to the late, great John Atkinson who used to terrorise defences in the 60s,70s and early 80s for Leeds. Another player with a magnificent try record.
As the half time hooter sounded I was more than happy with the performance. The second half was tough and losing Amir Bourouh to the sin bin really cost Salford. Leeds were enjoying an avalanche of possession which in the end cost Salford the points.
The performance was one to be proud of and the team can get better. You can see the potential in this Salford team and with positive news last week about the stadium and a new signing this Sunday against Castleford is the perfect opportunity to impress the supporters.
Joe Mellor missed Friday’s match through injury and winger Ethan Ryan could be out until round six according to Paul Rowley.
Super League away record.
Salford 11
Draws 0
Castleford 15
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)
2020 Salford 30 Castleford 37 (played behind closed doors at Headingley)
2021 Salford 18 Castleford 28
2022 Salford 30 Castleford 14
2023 Salford 14 Castleford 6
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, Paul Fletcher, Darren Rogers, Jordan Turner, Darren Shaw, Mark Sneyd, Gray Viane, Derrell Olpherts, George Griffin, Niall Evalds and Gareth O’Brien.
A match to remember Friday 8th September 2006.
Salford 26 Castleford 16.
An amazing start to the 2006 season saw Salford riding high in the League table playing some of their best rugby for years. As the year progressed after Easter form dipped but this victory at the Willows secured a 5th place finish in the penultimate round of matches and a crack at the Super League playoffs.
The Tigers looked to be in control as they took a 14-4 lead with tries from Luke Dyer and Danny Sculthorpe and three goals from Danny Brough.
Malcolm Alker and Daley Williams grabbed first half tries for Salford who trailed 8-14 at half time.
After a good old fashioned Karl Harrison team talk The City Reds came out firing in the second half in what was a tense night of action under the lights.
Salford had a real hunger and desire about them. With Warrington, Harlequins and Wigan just behind us in the table their was no room for error.
Barn storming forward Andy Coley, crafty scrum half Luke Robinson and the ever reliable David Hodgson all touched down for tries to condemn Castleford to a 26-16 defeat.
The Tigers went on to play Wakefield in the final round of the regular season a week later in a match where the losing side would be relegated.
Wakefield completed their own great escape as they condemned Castleford to relegation from Super League with a tension-filled victory 29-17 in front of a packed crowd at Belle Vue.
The teams that night were;
Salford, Hodgson, Williams, McGuinness, Moule, Wilshere, Dunemann, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Littler, Brocklehurst, Finnigan.
Subs, Charles, Highton, Adamson, Haggerty.
Castleford, Platt, A Fletcher, Shenton, McGoldrick, Dyer, Lupton, Brough, Sculthorpe, Henderson, Nutley, Ward, Manu, R Fletcher.
Subs, Davis, Viane, Bird, Fa’aoso.
Attendance, 6,106.
Referee, Karl Kirkpatrick.
Sunday’s match.
High speed Cas as they were once known are the visitors this Sunday. The Tigers were beaten last Saturday by reigning champions Wigan in what were really wet and soggy conditions in West Yorkshire. A red card for Liam Watts in the first half took the game away from Castleford in the end but their were spells in the first half where the home side looked more than a capable team. They have a new coach in Craig Lingard. He spent his playing days at Batley and since then has coached Bramley, Keighley Cougars and Batley. He’s a very knowledgeable man and deserves his chance to coach in Rugby League’s top flight.
As already mentioned Marc Sneyd was very impressive last week. He was instrumental in everything Salford did with ball in hand. His partnership with Cade Cust will hopefully blossom in the coming weeks as they form an understanding with each other. The pack worked so hard at Leeds. Kallum Watkins and Sam Stone were awesome. King Vuniyayawa will be available this weekend after serving his suspension. Fullback Ryan Brierley has received a one match ban for a high tackle against Leeds, however the club were set to appeal this. Fingers crossed.
The Tigers were without lynchpin Paul McShane last Saturday and will be hoping to get there veteran hooker back playing as soon as possible.
Danny Richardson and Jacob Miller are both experienced half backs with loose forward Joe Westerman now in his eighteenth season as a professional.
The bookmakers have Salford as slight favourites but this early in the season games are still pretty difficult to predict.
The action gets under way at 3pm.
Safe travels and enjoy the match.
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.
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