Salford deny Castleford to boost play-off hopes

Betfred Super League

Salford (12) 30

Tries: Macdonald, Brierley, Ryan, Partington, Hankinson Goals: Sneyd 5

Castleford (6) 22

Tries: Qareqare 2, El-Zakhem, Johnson Goals: Milnes 3

Salford Red Devils overcame Castleford Tigers in a thrilling see-saw contest to move within four points of the Super League summit.

Jason Qareqare’s score put Cas ahead, but Nene MacDonald levelled and Ryan Brierley then put the hosts 12-6 in front at half-time after Tigers’ Liam Horne was sent to the sin-bin.

Qareqare raced in for his second try and Elie El-Zakhem crossed as the visitors snatched back the lead after the break.

But Ethan Ryan’s interception try restored Salford’s lead before Ollie Partington and Chris Hankinson sealed the win, despite Luis Johnson’s late score in reply.

The hard-fought win was Salford’s first in three matches and much needed for their play-off ambitions, giving them a four-point buffer over seventh-placed Leeds.

It also lifted them above Catalans and St Helens into fourth place, ahead of the French side’s evening kick-off against Hull FC, while Cas remained 10th after a first defeat in four.

Deon Cross was tackled inches short and then had an eighth-minute score chalked off for a forward pass as Salford made a fast start.

But having survived the early pressure, Castleford drew first blood as Rowan Milnes’ kick through found Qareqare in space on the right to race over unchallenged.

In an opening half high on attrition, Salford tied the scores when Macdonald showed tremendous strength to touch down, hitting Sneyd’s short pass at pace and dragging two defenders over the line with him.

Macdonald thought he had a second when he outjumped Jacob Miller to collect Sneyd’s high kick, but video referee Aaron Moore ruled it out for a knock-on.

Cas had ridden their luck, but it ran out when Horne saw yellow in the 32nd minute for a late hit on Partington and Salford cashed in.

Quick play from a scrum allowed Brierley to race over in the right corner, with Sneyd’s touchline conversion giving the hosts a six-point lead.

After surviving three repeat sets straight after the break, Castleford turned the game on its head with two tries in five minutes.

A quick sweeping move gave Qareqare a clear run to the right corner and Salford’s left edge was again found wanting when lacklustre tackling allowed El-Zakhem to race in from range.

But the pendulum swung again when Ryan intercepted Tex Hoy’s pass and ran in from 70 metres.

Cas again shipped points while a man short as Partington went over from close range a moment after he had taken a high hit which put Sylvester Namo in the bin.

Tim Lafai then gave Hankinson a clear run to the line to give the hosts breathing space at 30-16, with Sneyd extending his perfect afternoon with a fifth goal.

Johnson broke through two tackles and muscled his way over to reduce the deficit to eight points with nine minutes left, but Salford, this time, held on.

Salford: Brierley, Ryan, Macdonald, Lafai, Cross, Nikorima, Sneyd, Singleton, Shorrocks, Bullock, Stone, Watkins, Partington.

Interchanges: Wright, Hankinson, Mellor, Lewis.

Castleford: Hoy, Qareqare, Hall, Mellor, Senior, Milnes, Miller, Griffin, Horne, Mustapha, Lawler, El-Zakhem, Westerman.

Interchanges: Hall, Namo, Robb, Johnson.

Sin-bin: Horne (32), Namo (64).

Referee: Chris Kendall.