Salford coach Paul Rowley hailed a “huge win” after his side maintained their Betfred Super League play-off push with a 30-22 victory over improving Castleford on Saturday.
The Red Devils came from behind to take charge of a keenly-fought game at the Salford Community Stadium with three tries in the final quarter having trailed 16-12 after an hour.
Two of those touchdowns came during a period in which Cas were reduced to 12 men after a second costly sin binning in the match.
Salford’s victory lifted them above St Helens in the table and tightened their grip on a top-six position.
Rowley, who handed a debut to new signing Jayden Nikorima, said: “I thought we were fantastic. I thought our performance was really good.
“We weren’t as polished as we could be in attack but I thought there were some really good signs.
“We had a new spine with Jayden in there. There’s a bit of work to do but we’re willing to do that and get that better.
“We scored 30 points. I thought we totally dominated the game.
“It’s a huge win, not just because of the league table but because Castleford are in such good form.”
Both Castleford sin binnings came after high tackles on Oliver Partington by Liam Horne and Sylvester Namo.
Ryan Brierley scored for Salford during their first period of numerical supremacy while Partington and Chris Hankinson gave the hosts the decisive edge in the second. Nene Macdonald and Ethan Ryan were the Red Devils’ other try-scorers.
Rowley said: “Ollie P was the best player on the field by country mile. His all-round game was fantastic.
“He took a couple of shots around the head but reacted in the right way, played the game in a good spirit and played tough both sides of the ball, defence and attack.”
Castleford coach Craig Lingard, whose side had been chasing a fourth successive win after finally finding some form, admitted losing two players to the sin bin proved costly.
He said: “The two 10-minute periods when we were down to 12 we conceded points, and ultimately they’re the periods in the game where we lost.
“We weren’t good enough to win that game if we’re perfectly honest.
“We lacked a lot of what we’ve shown in the last few games and Salford were excellent. We were a little bit too passive.
“I think it’s maybe a measure of where we started the season to where we are now that we’re disappointed with what we dished up.”
Text author: Andy Hampson, PA
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