Salford Red Devils are looking to secure back-to-back victories when they welcome Castleford Tigers to the The Salford Stadium in Round 13 of the Betfred Super League.
Last Sunday, Paul Rowley’s side secured a vital two points in a 23-8 win over Leeds Rhinos. Ken Sio and Joe Burgess got the hosts off to a flying start with two tries in quick succession, before Leeds – under the new management of Rohan Smith – hit back through Ashley Handley.
Andy Ackers added to Salford’s lead just before the interval, with a further try from Ryan Brierley all-but securing a fantastic victory in front of a rocking home crowd.
The players will hope to get that same backing tonight when they face Lee Radford’s Castleford Tigers. In Round One, the Red Devils produced a stunning performance at the Mend-a-Hose-Jungle Stadium to beat the same opposition 16-26.
Since that meeting, Castleford have won and lost six of their opening 12 games and currently sit sixth in the Betfred Super League table.
Previewing the mouthwatering contest, Alex Gerrard has been speaking to the press about that previous meeting at the start of the season and what the team can take from that into Friday’s contest.
Gerrard said: “I think in Round One there is a bit of the unknown – you have a bit of look, but you concentrate on yourselves. I wasn’t involved in that game, but this week it’s the same, I think it’s about what you do as a team.
“Castleford are playing well at the minute, they’ve got some good players who are hitting a bit of form, but I think it’s more about us and if us as a collective turn up and do what we need to do, it’s in our control.”
After some brilliant performances – but ultimately defeats – against the likes of Wigan and St Helens, Gerrard also says securing the two points on Sunday gave the group a huge boost going into this week’s contest.
He continued: “We’ve got to keep going week-to-week and putting the performances in and see where we end up. I think if you look at the last two games before the Leeds game against Wigan and St Helens, we put in two stellar performances, but we just ended up on the wrong side of the result.
“So, that game against Leeds at the weekend was massive for the boys that played – because a lot of them were out of position. If we can keep improving week-on-week, I’m sure the results will come our way.”
Salford showcased some world-class last-ditch defending on Sunday, and they’ll need to be at a similar level to deal with the threats Castleford possess all over the field.
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