Round 21
Salford City Reds 12 l. Castleford Tigers 18

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Castleford continues good record on the road
Sun July 19, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Castleford Tigers further enhanced their impressive record on the road to end any remaining hopes Salford City Reds had of forcing their way into the engage Super League play-off reckoning.

Two converted tries in the final nine minutes of the first half put Castleford in the driving seat as first Brett Ferres and then Michael Shenton went over to give the away side a 12-point lead.

Dean McGilvray gave the home side hope but Kirk Netherton crossed for the visitors. Stefan Ratchford's late effort had little bearing on the outcome of the game though as it proved a mere consolation.

The Reds almost gifted Castleford an opener with six minutes on the clock when stand-off Jeremy Smith kicked straight at Richard Owen on the last tackle. The Tigers full-back looked to have the legs in a straight race for the line but after travelling 60 metres winger Mark Henry did well to haul him down.

The first points arrived nine minutes before the half-time siren. Ryan McGoldrick was the architect with a great cross-field kick following good work from the Tigers pack.

Second row Ferres took the ball in his stride and despite a couple of Salford defenders getting to him, he had the momentum and bounced them away on his way to the line.

Joe Westerman added the extras but another touchdown came in the 38th minute as Rangi Chase produced a seemingly harmless cross-field kick. Three Salford defenders stood and watched as Shenton gathered and crashed over.

The Reds finally pulled one back in the 54th minute when Richard Myler grubbered through and winger McGilvray slid in to score. Wilshere slotted over the resulting conversion to half the deficit.

But the Castleford response came in less than four minutes as the gap became 12 points once more.

Following more good play from the Tigers pack, the Salford defence expected the ball to be spun wide but hooker Netherton caught almost everyone unaware as he threw a great dummy before darting over.

Westerman made it three from three with the boot to restore Castleford's healthy lead.

Wilshere and Ratchford combined for Salford's second of the night as the latter raced between the posts completely unopposed. Wilshere's conversion meant the margin was six points but Castleford held on.

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