Castleford Tigers 30 Salford City Reds 12: Westerman kicks Tigers to much-needed victory

CASTLEFORD coach Terry Matterson was a relieved man after the Tigers ended their slide with a crucial 30-12 win over fellow strugglers Salford City Reds at The Jungle.

Matterson, who had come under increasing pressure after four straight defeats including a shock Challenge Cup loss against Championship part-timers Barrow Raiders, was delighted with the way his side bounced back.

"We got the result and that was important. There were things we can do better but we controlled possession, we controlled field position and we controlled the scoreboard," he said.

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However, Matterson admitted he was worried when Salford cut the gap to 16-12.

He said: " Of course when they get close you worry a little bit – that's our job to worry. We just had to keep doing what we were doing and playing the game down the other end.

"I was really pleased with the way our players bounced back and just the way they went about it. They looked very hungry today and they've got to come every week like that.

"We got a little bit nervous and that's understandable considering what we've come through and what happened last week against Barrow but we played for the 80 minutes and we rattled up 30 points which is pleasing.

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"Joe Westerman landed seven goals from seven kicks. He hit the ball well and that makes a big difference when he is edging you two points forward especially in those wet conditions. We didn't train to play in those conditions and it was a bit of a shock for both sides when the heavens opened up before the game."

Westerman was a major contributor with seven goals from seven kicks.

It was no surprise when the Tigers took a sixth-minute via Ryan McGoldrick, converted by Westerman who then added two penalties. Salford hit back with a try from Ashley Gibson that Holdsworth converted to reduce the deficit to four points.

Castleford increased their lead with a Mitchell Sargent try before Salford replied with a Mark Henry effort.

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Just when the Tigers looked to be wobbling, tries from Jordan Thompson and Stuart Jones secured victory.

Castleford Tigers: Thompson, Dixon, Evans, McGoldrick, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Jackson, Huby, Jones, Westerman. Substitutes: Higgins, Clayton, Snitch, Tuson.

Salford City Reds: Fitzpatrick, Tyrer, Henry, Talau, Gibson, Ratchford, Holdsworth, Cashmere, Alker, Boyle, Sidlow, Adamson, Swain. Substitutes: Littler, Jewitt, Leuluai, M. Smith.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield).