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7 March 2025, 22:07 GMT
Betfred Super League
Castleford (6) 22
Tries: Horne, Mustapha, Rimbu Goals: Hoy 5
Salford (6) 14
Tries: Brierley, Watkins Goals: Sneyd 3
Castleford Tigers earned their first Super League win of the season as they beat Salford Red Devils in an entertaining match at The Jungle.
In a battle between the league’s bottom two clubs, Judah Rimbu’s try five minutes from time won the match for the hosts.
Five kicks from Tex Hoy as well as tries from Liam Horne and Muizz Mustapha helped the Tigers earn their first two points of the campaign.
Tries from Ryan Brierley and Kallum Watkins, as well as three kicks from Marc Sneyd, proved to be in vain for Salford Red Devils who remain bottom of the table.
Following an error-ridden first 20 minutes, Salford captain Watkins was sent to the sin-bin for a late shot on Daejarn Asi.
Within a minute, Salford’s 12-man resistance was breached when debutant Daniel Okore handed off a tackle and supplied Horne, who found a gap to dart over and open the scoring.
The visitors rallied, however, and after his return to the field, a stunning offload from Watkins found Brierley who weaved inside Fletcher Rooney’s despairing dive to score only the Red Devils’ second Super League try of the season.
Salford – whose players have now been paid for the month of February – ended the half the stronger and after Sneyd delivered a majestic kick to earn a 40-20, Kai Morgan was held up just before the whitewash on the last tackle.
Castleford thought they had retaken the lead within 60 seconds of the restart, but following a review from video referee Ben Thaler, Mustapha was adjudged to have knocked on before Nimbu dotted the ball down.
Three minutes later, the Tigers were not to be denied as the same two combined when Nimbu found Mustapha, who burst through to dive over next to the sticks.
Hoy’s third successful kick extended the Tigers’ lead, but they were pegged back soon after when Morgan’s super linebreak created the simplest of chances for Watkins to score and reduced the deficit to two points after Sneyd’s useful kick from the right side.
SWpixFollowing more great work from Rimbu, Josh Simms thought he scored in the corner but replays showed the Tigers winger was unable to ground the ball, instead hitting the ball against his leg.
After Salford’s second successful captain’s challenge in as many minutes, Sneyd’s third successful kick levelled the scores at 14-14 – a kick which also meant he surpassed 2,500 Super League points in his career.
The Tigers roared back and following a good spell of offensive pressure, Nimbu found a gap to dive over the whitewash to regain the lead which, after a conversion and a penalty from Hoy, they were not going to relinquish a third time.
Castleford Tigers coach Danny McGuire told BBC Radio Leeds:
On his first win in charge:
“Probably a bit of relief to be honest. I’m really pleased for the players, seeing what they’ve put themselves through in pre-season.
“They kept working for each other and that’s what we’re trying to bring to the club.
“Salford have got some really good players and they threw caution to the wind at the end so I’m really happy we’ve got the win.”
Salford Red Devils coach Paul Rowley told BBC Radio Manchester:
“I’m very grateful to the team. To get through this weekend was the main thing and to get through with some dignity, effort and do the badge proud.
“Never ever was it going to be a polished performance. We can’t do because we haven’t practised.
“My crystal ball says this will take a little bit of repairing – the confidence has been absolutely smashed to bits, but I do believe that confidence is an emotion and the challenge going forward is to control your own emotions.”
Castleford: Rooney; Simm, Cini, Wood, I. Senior; Asi, Hoy; Okoro, Robb, Griffin, Lawler, Mellor, Hill.
Interchanges: Horne, Rimbu, Mustapha, Namo.
Salford: Brierley; Hankinson, MacDonald, Marsters, Cross; Atkin, Sneyd; Ormondroyd, Morgan, Sangare, Chan, Watkins, Hill.
Interchanges: Foster, Wilson, Bullock, Wright.
Sin-bin: Watkins
Referee: Chris Kendall.
