Match Reports Salford Away| Salford Away |
The Tigers made it 3 wins in row after a hard fought win in difficult conditions at The Willows coming out 18-12 in front against Salford City Reds. Terry Matterson kept faith with the 17 that magnificently beat Hull whilst Salford Selected Stefan Ratchford in the centre with Jeremy Smith and Richard Myler taking the half back spots. With the weather as it was handling was always going to be difficult and both sides coughed up lots of ball but credit to both sides for their endeavour and committment and none more so than Tigers prop Craig Huby who was tackled just short on a couple of occasions. One of which created the position for Kirk Netherton to dart over for a try from acting half back. Cas held the upper hand for much of the first half but were unable to break the Salford resolve until the half hour mark when, after both Liam Higgins and Joe Westerman had been tackled short, Brett Ferres was on hand to take a Ryan McGoldrick kick to score to the left of the uprights. Westerman converted and the Tigers had a deserved 6-0 lead. As half time approached Cas extended their lead through a Michael Shenton try. Dean Widders made good ground on the left and when Rangi Chase kicked on the last tackle, the England centre was first to the ball scoring to the right of the posts. Westerman again added the extras to make it 12-0 at the break. The second half was again littered with errors but it was the home side who had the better of the early exchanges. A Myler kick was left by Richard Owen, who had moments earlier taken a knock and appeared to still be feeling the effects, and Ratchford regained possession only to be halted just short. Huby was penalised for an infringement in the tackle and as Salford moved the ball to the right Myler put a delicate kick through for winger Dean McGilvray to slide in at the corner. Full back John Wilshire converted magnificently from the touchline. The Tigers hit back and after mighty charges from Mitchell Sargent and Huby had created a good position, Netherton forced his way over and again Westerman was on hand to add the extras. As Cas tried to seal the victory Chase missed with a drop goal attempt, then when he put through a neat kick Ferres was unable to grab his second try and the ball went dead. The Reds showed great thinking and went for an optional restart and the kick set the position for Ratchford to break through from 30 metres for a score which Wilshire again converted. Huby almost grabbed a try, tackled just short then Netherton lost possession but Salford struggled to clear their line and with the final hooter sounding Westerman was tackled just short and the Tigers win was sealed. The win takes the Tigers to 22 league points and back into the top 8 and will see them travel to Wakefield next week in good heart. Wakefield have been a bit of a bogey side for Cas in recent seasons but Matterson and his charges will be looking for a repeat of last seasons victory and to avenge this season's Good Friday reversal. One thing for certain is that it will be a hard fought affair and will guarantee banter between the rival fans this coming week Tigers: Owen, Dixon, Shenton, Widders, Wainwright, McGoldrick, Chase, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Ferres, Clayton, Westerman. Subs: Jones, Feather, Netherton, Higgins. Salford: Wilshire, Henry, Turner, Ratchford, McGilvray, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Sidlow, Swain. Subs: Littler, Paul, Leuluai, Jewitt Referee: Gareth Hewer Attendance: 3487 Normytigers Man of the Match
1st Craig Huby 3 points 2nd Joe Westerman 2 points 3rd Ryan Hudson 1 point |
