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Tetley's Bitter Super League

23/ 9/2002

Salford City Reds 10 Castleford Tigers 20

IT WAS the result every Reds fan was dreading, as this defeat and Wakefield's resounding victory against Warrington condemned Salford to relegation, writes Marc Iles.

If there are to be any positives claimed from a disastrous day in the history of the club it was the reaction of the Reds fans who stayed until the bitter end to proclaim their undying support.

It would be easy to point the finger at some questionable decisions from referees and touch judges against the Tigers, but the reality is that Salford should have been safe long before Sunday.

On the day, the pass for Darren Rogers' try was forward but equally Ian Watson and Steve Blakeley never got their kicking game together, Jason Nicol dropped the ball too many times and the clinical finishing demonstrated at Wilderspool last week was simply not there.

After a tense start, Cas opened the scoring with a penalty from Wayne Bartrim. Five minutes later they were forced to drop out after a good chase from Watson's high kick had caught Rogers in his goal area.

From the drop out, Blakeley and Watson traded passes and sent Dave Highton in for a glorious try converted by Blakeley.

At this point Salford were rampant with Neil Baynes and Darren Treacy busting through tackles and Damian Gibson and Malcolm Alker leading the defensive efforts - giving the Shed real hope that this could indeed be their day.

But in attack the Reds were wasting chances with Danny Arnold and Treacy both putting down passes close in.

Disaster struck with five minutes left in the half when Rogers received a pass from Danny Orr so forward it actually crossed the try line before the former Willows full-back.

Bartrim converted and Cas had an 8-6 half time lead. Wakefield were cruising at 22-4.

Blakeley got Salford level two minutes after the break with a penalty then edged the home side ahead with another kick after a dangerous spear tackle by Dale Fritz on Alker.

The Reds were in front but Castlerford were beginning to run up a head of steam. First Jason Nicol made superb tackle on Michael Eagar to stop him advancing down the left wing then Treacy pulled off another try-saver on the left.

Alker palmed a dangerous kick dead on 63 minutes but on the next set of six Bartrim busted through from dummy-half to convert his own try.

As the minutes ticked by, the Reds' gas tank was empty. Watson's kick's were vertical rather than dangerous and an eerie feeling of resignation had hit the Salford fans.

Blakeley's panicked kick led to Ryan Hudson's clincher with seconds left on the clock ending Salford's seven year tenure in Super League.

Advertiser Sport match ratings: Gibson 8, Reardon 6, Nicol 6, Maloney 6, Arnold 6, Blakeley 7, Watson 6, Baynes 8, Alker 7, P Highton 7, Wainwright 7, Treacy (C) 8, D Highton 7. Subs: Coley 6, Ebrill 6, Southern 6. Subs not used: Broadbent.