Castleford have become one of the most consistent sides in The Super League in recent seasons. Under coach Daryl Powell they have steadily built a very talented side playing exciting and expansive rugby. This season it’s been another very solid start for The Tigers with four wins from there opening five matches. Just the one defeat so far away at Warrington.

Wheldon Road is a ground that hasn’t changed much over the years and the old traditional feel is very much present when you stand on the terraces there.

Castleford enjoyed a period of real success at the end of the 1960s. Two Challenge cup titles in 1969 and 1970 against Salford and Wigan respectively were a real achievement for the town.

With Alan Hardisty, Keith Hepworth and Malcom Reilly pulling the strings Cas became a real tough side to beat. The legendary Reilly left Castleford in 1971 to join Manly in Australia where he was a huge success. He returned at the end of the 1975 season to take a player coach role which he held until 1987.

The Challenge cup title in 1986, Regal Trophy In 1994 and the league leaders Shield in 2017 have been the success stories for the Yorkshire club in more recent times. The Tigers have never won a top flight championship but came close in 2017 taking the league by storm as they raced to the top of the table. Eventually they were well beaten in the Grand Final against rivals Leeds.

Super League away record.

Castleford 14

Draws 0

Salford 5

1997 Castleford 12 Salford 10

1998 Castleford 30 Salford 12

1999 Castleford 38 Salford 10

2000 Castleford 30 Salford 4

2001 Castleford 22 Salford 24

2002 Castleford 24 Salford 2

2004 Castleford 32 Salford 36

2004 Castleford 22 Salford 24

2006 Castleford 28 Salford 26

2009 Castleford 52 Salford 16

2010 Castleford 30 Salford 12

2011 Castleford 52 Salford 20

2012 Castleford 34 Salford 30

2013 Castleford 44 Salford 30

2014 Castleford 14 Salford 10

2015 Castleford 30 Salford 16

2016 Castleford 16 Salford 32

2017 Castleford 38 Salford 14

2018 Castleford 22 Salford 8

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, Darren Rogers, Darren Shaw, Mark Sneyd and Gray Viane.

Francis Maloney scored plenty of tries for both clubs.

A match to remember Sunday 18th May 1997.

Castleford 12 Salford 10.

The reverse fixture between the two sides had ended 4-0 to Salford and this match was to be another tense low scoring affair with a dramatic finish.

Salford were playing well and made an excellent start to the 97 season. The Tigers we’re struggling at the foot of the table desperately searching for a victory after losing there first ten matches. The Reds had already won six matches and arrived at Wheldon Road in confident mood.

Cas winger Jason Roach bagged two tries for the home side with young half back Danny Orr converting one score. Salford’s tries came from Steve Blakeley and Darren Rogers with Blakeley converting one also. The sides were locked a 10-10 at half time.

The Tigers were hanging on going in to the final frantic stages of the match. Salford were pushing to land the knockout blow as they trailed 12-10.

A last gasp high kick out wide landed in Scott Martin’s arms and he was over. Salford’s travelling away fans at the old railway end of the ground were celebrating only for referee John Connolly to disallow it. The hooter sounded leaving Salford to contemplate what might have been.

Ironically just four days later Salford would beat League and Challenge cup winners St Helens 39-26 on an unforgettable night at The Willows.

As we all know and love The Red Devil’s have tended to be a shade unpredictable over the years.

The teams that day were;

Castleford, Flowers, Roach, Critchley, Vowles, Middleton, Orr, Ford, Sampson, Russell, Sykes, Tonks, Harland, Tuuta. Subs, Crooks, Steadman, St Hilaire, Anderson.

Salford, Broadbent, Sini, Martin, Mcavoy, Rogers, Blakeley, Watson, Platt, Edwards, Eccles, Forber, Faimalo, Hulme. Subs, Randall, Lee, Savelio, Southern.

Attendance, 3,265.

Sunday’s match.

After Salford’s marvellous performance in France just how far can Ian Watson’s side go this season? The confidence must be sky high at the moment. The spine of the side looks to have really gelled and the forward pack are all playing for there positions. With Adam Walker now fit and available for selection Watson has a selection headache. Adam Lawton had a real solid debut last weekend against Catalans so perhaps we will see an unchanged side this Sunday.

The Tigers have Oli Holmes and Adam Milner back in contention to play after missing last weeks match at Warrington. With Luke Gale out injured long term, young Jake Truman has filled in superbly at half back alongside Jordan Rankin.

Hooker Paul McShane is up there with the best in the league and the Cas pack with Liam Watts, Junior Moors, Jesse Sene-Lefao and Nathan Massey is nothing short of ferocious.

Young Castleford starlet, Jake Trueman.

With both sides currently riding high in the League table this game is a mouth watering prospect. Salford have won all three of there away games this season and it’s been many a year since we’ve managed four top flight wins on the spin. Despite the pundits early season predictions this Red Devil’s side is out to prove everyone wrong. Yet again the bond the players have with the Salford supporters was a joy to see in Perpignan on Saturday. Some special memories were made on and off the pitch.

Safe travels and enjoy the match everyone.

Paul Whiteside.