Castleford begin running repairs

Castleford 30 Salford 1

Castleford began their rehabilitation after last weekend's Challenge Cup humiliation with a workmanlike, if uninspired victory over their fellow Super League strugglers.

Part of the damage done by that defeat by Championship Barrow was repaired by their second home win of the season.

"I was really pleased with the way we bounced back. They were very hungry today," said the Tigers' under-pressure coach, Terry Matterson. "It's going to take a while to forget what happened last week, but it's gone and we've got to move forward."

Cas were helped to do that by a Salford side that undid their moments of flair by falling down too often on the basics.

"We put ourselves under enormous pressure," admitted Salford coach, Shaun McRae, after twice seeing his men get within striking distance, without being capable of going on with the job.

A heavy storm before kick-off affected both sides' handling, although Cas clung on long enough to take the lead through Ryan McGoldrick. Three Joe Westerman goals gave them a flattering10-point lead, before Salford scored a try just before half-time. Daniel Holdsworth was the architect, with a precise kick into the arms of Ashley Gibson, but the Reds could not make the further inroads.

Cas stretched their lead when Mitchell Sargent took Ryan Hudson's short pass to power over, but Salford still looked to have the potential to win if they could capitalise on their incisiveness down the right flank.

Gibson, Stefan Ratchford and Mark Henry all threatened, before the three of them combined for a spectacular try. Ratchford's initial break and Gibson's kick saw Henry hang on to the bouncing ball to score.

Jordan Thompson scored from Rangi Chase's kick to move Castleford clear again and the promising Thompson made a vital tackle on Henry when a try could have seen Salford back in with a shout. Instead, Westerman took his goal tally to seven from seven attempts, and Stuart Jones got a lucky try when Brent Sherwin's kick deflected to him off a defender's heel.

"I'm not sure we deserved to concede 30 points," said McRae, but for Matterson in his current situation the win, convincing or not, was all that mattered.

Castleford: McGoldrick; Dixon, Evans, Thompson, Wainwright; Chase, Sherwin; Sargent, Hudson, Jackson, Huby, Jones, Westerman. Substitutes used: Higgins, Clayton, Snitch, Tuson.

Salford: Fitzpatrick; Tyrer, Henry, Talau, Gibson; Ratchford, Holdsworth; Cashmere, Alker, Boyle, Sidlow, Adamson, Swain. Substitutes used: Littler, Jewitt, Leuluai, Smith.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield)