After a roasting week in the north west dominated by the return of Oasis, Salford were looking for a supersonic performance against Castleford.

Coach Paul Rowley had stated the green shoots of improvement in last week’s performance against Warrington and with the Tigers in a bit of lull following the departure of coach Danny McGuire could the Red Devils take advantage.

After a super performance for Salford last week Cain Robb was back playing for the Tigers at hooker. Chris Atkin started in the halves alongside Dejarn Asi.

Salford welcomed back Joe Mellor at hooker and Loghan Lewis made the bench for his first appearance of the season. On loan signing Oliver Russell partnered Jayden Nikorima in the halves.

Castleford showed their intentions straight away as they moved the ball well down the flanks and cut through some flimsy Salford defence. Ryan Brierley came up with a fantastic cover tackle to thwart the attack.

Dan Russell has been very solid since joining on loan from Warrington and when the big back-rower offloaded to Ethan Ryan the Salford winger turned the visitors inside out on a thrilling break. His pass inside was slightly off timed and Nikorima just couldn’t take it in. 

Moments later Salford went left with clean crisp passing move and Ryan wasn’t  to be denied. Chris Hankinson failed to convert. 4-0.

Atkin and Oliver Russell got involved in a scuffle off the ball and this seemed to distract the Devils rhythm. Josh Simm scored out wide and the visitors were level.

The crowd were on their feet when Loghan Lewis came off the bench to a hero’s welcome. The very popular Australian forward was ready to rip in with his infectious enthusiasm. Sadly for Lewis he only managed two tackles in a very short lived return. He got his head in the wrong place and ended up going off looking very groggy. Lewis failed his HIA and didn’t return. 

A hospital pass from Esan Marsters put Brierley on the back foot with Castleford scooping up the loose ball to score. The video referee was called upon and after a good perusal the try was denied. From the resulting scrum Salford were caught cold. Asi darted over and Atkin converted, 4-10.

Nikorima went off holding his arm which is another significant injury blow for Salford. Declan Murphy came off the bench to make his debut. Rowley shuffled things with Brierley moving to halfback and Murphy slotting in at fullback. 

Murphy made an immediate impact. His pace and super sidestep saw him come ever so close to scoring. An exciting attack followed with a determined Harvey Wilson powering over to score. Hankinson levelled the match at 10-10.

This sparked the Devils in to life and they went back to back with another try to stun the jaded Tigers. Clever play from Marsters created a chance with Mellor racing over right on the half time hooter. Hankinson kicked the goal to give Salford a deserved 16-10 lead at the break. 

Castleford got the perfect start to the second half when danger man Asi ghosted over. The tall halfback looked a real threat. He could step off both feet and his ability to run deceptively at the line made him a very difficult man to tackle. Once again the score was level with Atkin’s successful conversion. 16-16.

Salford needed something and they got the shot in the arm they craved. Jack Ormondroyd went charging through on a barn storming run. This got the Devils rolling. Quick hands and the hot stepping Marsters scored the try. More injury concerns followed after Marsters was injured in the act of scoring and helped from the field. Salford were now playing with just one substitute but Chris Hill and Ormondroyd were like a couple of Chieftain Tanks. They kept driving the team forward with lung busting runs in the incredible heat.

Brierley forced a drop out with a clever kick before Oliver Russell produced a deft kick for Hankinson to score a well worked try. This opened up a ten point lead but the conversion was missed. 

Murphy continued to impress with a very assured performance. He was very safe under the high ball and returned kicks with real confidence. 

The Tigers now needed to force the pass to get back in the game and a certain try went begging when they blew a five to one overlap. 

With just under three minutes remaining Atkin’s perfectly measured kick hit the post and forward George Lawler touched down. The referee gave no try on the field and sent the decision to the video referee. After quite a bit of checking the decision was overturned and try awarded to set up a frantic final few moments. 26-22.

 The Tigers knew they’d  possibly get two more sets but they chanced their arm down the left edge. The Salford supporters held their breaths but the ball went to ground to give the Devils possession. With six tackles to play out that’s exactly what they did and the hooter sounded. It’s a result that’s been a long time coming but one that the Salford players, supporters and staff fully deserve. 

It promises to be another hectic week leading up to the match away at Leeds next Friday. Plenty of stories are floating around the media but that’s for next week. Salford will enjoy tonight even though the win came at a cost losing Lewis, Nikorima and Marsters to injury.

Salford 26 Castleford 22.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.