Salford’s off-field troubles following the eve of season takeover, with unpaid wages, big-name exits and chief executive Chris Irwin resigning three months into the job, have had obvious knock-on effects.
The Red Devils had won only once in 10 Super League games before their trip to the Tigers, and what was obvious from the opening moments was that while there is talent and drive in this squad, there is little confidence.
Salford got close to Castleford’s goalline in a bright opening on a number of occasions but they just could not find the right pass or make the right decision in the face of stubborn Tigers defence.
In contrast, Castleford went over with their first real chance as Tex Hoy spun his way out of trouble to ground the ball after seven minutes. They doubled their lead to 12-0 halfway through the first period when Zac Cini picked up Daejarn Asi’s kick and went over.
The try brought up a 400th league point conceded by Salford this season, and matters worsened before the end of the first period when Hoy’s break from his in-goal area set up a machine gun set of passes which Innes Senior finished off.
And two minutes before the half-time hooter Hoy scored a fourth after a brilliant break and exchange of passes with Senior.
At 24-0, Salford left the field haunted by the spectre of a sixth ‘nilling’ of the season, but to their credit they emerged energised and quickly eliminated the possibility with two tries in eight minutes from Matty Foster and powerhouse Nene Macdonald.
Salford had given themselves a chance but as they approached the hour mark a converted try from Muizz Mustapha took the score to 30-10.
And as the visitors battled not only a resurgent Tigers but a creeping inevitability, Hoy won a footrace to ground the ball for a sixth try and his hat-trick to put the writing on the wall.
Mellor and Asi added tries seven and eight, yet it was to Salford’s credit they kept battling to the hooter, Macdonald going over for a second in between those two which, given the circumstances of the match and the season in general, was understandably barely celebrated.
