Salford v Castleford.

I don’t think many supporters expected a match like what we saw last Friday. Once again the team were completely written off by the media, pundits and bookmakers. What we witnessed though was arguably our best performance of the season. After an hour the game was in the balance against a Warrington side pack with experience and star players. Of course it’s the result after eighty minutes that counts but as Paul Rowley said after the match there is definitely signs of promise and those all important green shoots.

Jack Ormondroyd and Chris Hill were both outstanding in the pack. Their commitment this season has been remarkable. Two players that never complain they just get on with the job in hand. I know things are up in the air regarding next season but I’d love those two to stay for 2026.

Danny Richardson had a superb match in the halves and brought the best out of Jayden Nikorima. It’s a real shame he’s been recalled by Hull Kingston Rovers after his two games on loan. 

Richardson’s departure has seen another halfback join on a two week loan. Oliver Russell has arrived from Wakefield Trinity. Russell spent six seasons at Huddersfield Giants where he became an accomplished goal kicker. The twenty six year old was born in Oldham and played for Oldham St Annes as a junior. His dad Richard Russell had a good career playing for Wigan, Oldham and Castleford before finishing at Bramley. 

The big news in the media this week focused on a possible points deduction for Salford due to the team that was selected for our first game of the season away at St.Helens. For us supporters I think this is the least of our worries at the moment. The RFL and our consortium have been pretty quiet over the past five months. Nobody knows how this whole situation will play out at the end of the season. Super League clubs will be planning for next season and maybe even the year after when it comes to recruitment and sorting out contracts. This again puts us on the back foot with the uncertain future surrounding us. 

As I write this preview on Wednesday evening it’s still a few days before the squads are released for Sunday. I thought Caine Robb had a fantastic game at hooker last Friday. He played eighty minutes and was busy round the ruck as well as being very tough in defence. His tackle on Connor Wrench was one of the best hits I’ve seen this season. With Robb being on loan from Castleford their is a possibility that the Tigers will want him back with their other hooker 

Liam Horne receiving a sixth match suspension and fine after being found guilty of making unnecessary contact with a player who is injured or maybe injured.

With Joe Mellor and Loghan Lewis set to return all eyes will be on Paul Rowley’s squad selection at dinner time on Friday. One player who won’t feature again for Salford is Ben Hellewell. The much travelled thirty three year old is awaiting a hip operation and is set to retire at the end of the season. Hellewell joined Salford on loan from Featherstone in 2022 before making his move permanent. A very hard worker with a good turn of pace we wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life. 

Super League home record.

Salford 13

Draws 0

Castleford 15

1997 Salford 4 Castleford 0

1998 Salford 8 Castleford 18

1999 Salford 17 Castleford 29

2000 Salford 16 Castleford 22

2001 Salford 18 Castleford 26

2002 Salford 16 Castleford 74

2002 Salford 10 Castleford 20

2004 Salford 30 Castleford 14

2006 Salford 26 Castleford 16

2009 Salford 12 Castleford 18

2010 Salford 22 Castleford 28

2011 Salford 8 Castleford 15

2012 Salford 10 Castleford 24

2013 Salford 34 Castleford 30

2014 Salford 23 Castleford 16

2015 Salford 20 Castleford 22

2016 Salford 22 Castleford 18

2017 Salford 13 Castleford 12

2017 Salford 4 Castleford 23 ( super eights)

2018 Salford 6 Castleford 24

2019 Salford 26 Castleford 16

2019 Salford 22 Castleford 0 (playoffs)

2020 Salford 30 Castleford 37 (played behind closed doors at Headingley)

2021 Salford 18 Castleford 28

2022 Salford 30 Castleford 14

2023 Salford 14 Castleford 6

2024 Salford 26 Castleford 22

2024 Salford 30 Castleford 22

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, Paul Fletcher, Darren Rogers, Jordan Turner, Darren Shaw, Mark Sneyd, Gray Viane, Derrell Olpherts, George Griffin, Niall Evalds and Gareth O’Brien.

A match to remember Sunday 19th March 2017.

Salford 13 Castleford 12.

Castleford had made an unbelievable start to the 2017 season. Two thumping home wins over Leigh and Leeds as well as victories on the road at Warrington and Widnes has the Tigers top of the table as they arrived at Salford for their fifth match of the season. The Red Devils had struggled in 2016 and avoided relegation via the Million Pound Game. Ian Watson’s side had also made an eye catching start to the new season with narrow defeats to Wigan and Leeds as well as two victories over Huddersfield and Warrington.

Luke Gale put Castleford in front , grounding a loose ball after Salford failed to deal with a high kick.

The Red Devils were very stubborn and well organised in defence to keep the Tigers under control after their free scoring start to the season. Ben Murdoch-Masila powered over but the conversion was missed leaving Salford two points adrift 4-6.

After their free scoring break Tigers winger Greg Minikin scored to extend the visitors lead to 4-12 giving Salford plenty of work to do. With Robert Lui and Michael Dobson working well together in the halves the slick Devils got back in the match when Murdoch-Masila powered over for his second try. Such a powerful runner out wide he really takes some stopping.

Fullback Gareth O’Brien levelled the match with a calmly kicked penalty goal, 12-12.

The match was a pulsating contest between two sides that wanted to entertain. Both played with a real confidence and freedom. As the clock counted down drop goals were always going to be on the agenda. O’Brien missed his first attempt, but the Tigers knocked on from the restart to gift Salford another attacking opportunity. The forwards drove it in with only one thing in mind and that was getting within range of the posts. This time O’Brien slotted it through the posts as the Tigers desperately tried to charge the kick down. The referee signalled the drop and Salford led 13-12.

The Red Devils survived the remaining few minutes to hang on for a thrilling victory.

The teams that day;

Salford O’Brien; Johnson, Welham, Sa’u, Carney; Lui, Dobson; Walne, Tomkins, Mossop, Murdoch-Masila, Griffin, Flanagan. Interchange Brining, Krasniqi, Kopczak, Carney.

Tries Murdoch-Masila 2. Goals O’Brien 2. Drop goal O’Brien.

Castleford Hardaker; Minikin, Webster, Shenton, Eden; Roberts, Gale; Lynch, McShane, Massey, Sene-Lefao, McMeeken, Milner. Interchange Millington, Moors, Cook, Springer.

Tries Gale, Minikin. Goals Gale 2.

Referee P Bentham. 

Attendance 5,221.

Sunday’s match.

Our visitors this Sunday have already beaten us twice this season at Wheldon Road. However the Tigers pushed the panic button this Monday and sacked Head coach Danny McGuire after just under nine months in charge. Castleford were beaten at home to Huddersfield last Thursday in what was a pretty dismal performance. 

Director of rugby Chris Chester has been placed in charge on an interim basis.

Chester spent four years in a similar role at Leigh. His time at the Leopards saw the club become a very competitive club in the top flight and they also tasted glory lifting the Challenge Cup. He’s also coached at Super League level before having been in charge at Hull Kingston Rovers and Wakefield Trinity. 

You would expect the inevitable reaction on Sunday from Castleford that always seems to occur when a coach or manager leaves. Salford should be in high spirits though after last week’s match against Warrington. I don’t think you will see any forty or fifty point handicap’s from the bookmakers this week. I expect it to be a lot more cagey this week. 

With a heatwave on the horizon it’s going to be an uncomfortable afternoon for the players this Sunday. Salford are again going to have to adapt to new partnerships in the team and particularly the one at halfback. Hopefully they’ve managed to get plenty of time on the training ground. Of course it’s not ideal with personal changing nearly every week but it’s been the story of the season so far. 

I’ve tried to take a back seat from social media recently. It’s a case of what I don’t see or read about doesn’t affect me. I thought the home supporters made the night last Friday against Warrington. You could see their noise and energy visibly lift the players on the pitch. I find it so comforting at the matches seeing all the familiar faces who want the same things as me. This club means the world to us so let’s keep fighting for it the best we can. 

The action gets underway at 3pm. Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Before I forget if you want to receive my written articles on email you can. Just visit my website and follow the blog link. The website is paulwhitesiderugbyleague.wordpress.com. 

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.