👉 SALFORD RED DEVILS {2024} 👈

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SQUAD NEWS:
The addition of star signing, David Nofoaluma is a major headline, who has now linked-up with his new teammates after a move from NRL side, West Tigers.

A serial try-scorer, the Samoan international has taken number 26 and is line to make his debut for the club against Craig Lingard’s new-look Tigers’ team.

Another notable returnee is King Vuniyayawa, who has served his one-match suspension and returns to the fold.

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BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE
LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
SUNDAY 25-2-24

SALFORD RED DEVILS v CASTLEFORD TIGERS.
KO: 15:00

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::MATCH REPORT::
SALFORD RED DEVILS 26-22 CASTLEFORD TIGERS
(BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE ROUND 2)



A Nene Macdonald-inspired Salford Red Devils recorded their first win of 2024 this afternoon.

Back home after a narrow Round 1 defeat, Paul Rowley’s side were determined to get their first Betfred Super League points of the season, against Castleford Tigers.

Joe Shorrocks for the injured Ollie Partington was the only change, with Chris Atkin and Ryan Brierley reaching significant personal landmarks.

The Red Devils started on the front foot and Marc Sneyd’s boot was straight into action, pinning the Tigers into their own in-goal on multiple occasions.

Pressure upon pressure finally told when Sneyd slipped in Sam Stone on the left edge with a beautifully-timed short pass.

It was two in quick succession with another solid set down the middle of Cas’ line. Brad Singleton drove forward and flicked an offload to Amir Bourouh, who scampered over for his first in Salford colours.

Momentum swung with a couple of repeat sets for the visitors.

Innes Senior was denied a try by some great scramble defence, but Sam Wood was sent through minutes later by Miller to cut the deficit.

A missed Danny Richardson conversion kept Salford in the lead on the half-hour mark, after Cas worked the hands and sent Jack Broadbent diving over in the right corner.

Salford were slowly getting back into their groove and a nice chase from Shorrocks forced a repeat set – and we crucially took advantage.

Sneyd’s high bomb on the last was charged down from almost halfway by Macdonald, who leapt high into the air and over the challenging Hooley to score.

A crucial try, at a crucial point in the game – with Sneyd adding the extras.

Coming out for the second-half with a healthy lead, the pivots were straight back to work and Cade Cust almost sent Kallum Watkins barraging through a gap with a neat short ball.

It wasn’t long until Sneyd had another say in this contest, sending through a pinpoint grubber for the chasing Stone to ground his second of the contest.

It looked like the Red Devils might run away with proceedings, but Joe Westerman cut the lead when he spotted a gap and scampered over to the left of the posts.

Salford were made to work even harder when Jack Ormondroyd was sent to the sin-bin, but it highlighted the ever-growing importance of Sneyd’s kicking, who sank a penalty-goal from the 40 to allow some breathing room.

It was certainly needed, with Liam Horne spinning away from his man to cut the lead to just four, late on.

Despite some frantic closing exchanges, Salford held on for a crucial two points and will be looking to build on that when Hull KR visit the Salford Community Stadium next Saturday.

MATCH FACTS:

Salford line-up: Ryan Brierley, Chris Hankinson, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Cade Cust, Marc Sneyd, Jack Ormondroyd, Amir Bourouh, Brad Singleton, Kallum Watkins, Sam Stone, Joe Shorrocks.

Interchanges: King Vuniyayawa, Shane Wright, Ben Hellewell, Chris Atkin.

Tries: Sam Stone (2), Amir Bourouh, Nene Macdonald.

Conversions: Marc Sneyd (5/5)

Castleford line-up: Luke Hooley, Jason Qareqare, Jack Broadbent, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Danny Richardson, Jacob Miller, George Lawler, Liam Horne, Nixon Putt, Elie El-Zakhem, Charbel Tasipale, Joe Westerman.

Interchanges: Rowan Milnes, Sam Hall, Muizz Mustapha, Sammy Kilbula.

Tries: Sam Wood, Jack Broadbent, Joe Westerman, Liam Horne.

Conversions: Danny Richardson (1/2), Luke Hooley (2/2)

HT: Salford Red Devils 18-10 Castleford Tigers

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THE BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE - NEXT WEEK....


Fri 1-3-24
8pm Sky Sports Action
St Helens v Leigh

8pm Sky Sports Arena
Wigan v Huddersfield

8pm Sky Sports Mix
Warrington v Cas

Sat 2-3-24
3pm Sky Sports Action
Leeds v Catalan

5.30pm Sky Action & BBC Red Button
Hull KR v Salford

Sun 3-3-24
3pm Sky Sports Action
Hull v London

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Paul Rowley was full of praise for star centre, Nene Macdonald in his post-match press conference.

After completing a move to the club during the off-season, his long-anticipated home debut could not have gone much better, with a Man of the Match performance against Castleford Tigers.

His try on the stroke of half-time gave the Red Devils some breathing room and came from a moment of real quality from Marc Sneyd.

A high bomb on the last was charged down by Macdonald, who leapt high over Luke Hooley to grab the ball and touch down in some style.

Speaking post-match, his Head Coach says it’s something the PNG international has brought to the table since his arrival.

“We’ve spoke about challenging kicks more and I think Nene’s come into this group, and you kind of need someone to value something to make that contagious throughout your group, and Nene has definitely brought that,” Rowley began.

“What I would say is, probably when you look at the game, Nene, for me, was the shining star out there, that little bit of quality on the field.

“I think everybody worked hard, but I think he was different class and that try was the perfect example of that.”

On the performance as a whole, Rowley says a late Liam Horne try made the final exchanges very nerve-racking for those in attendance.

“Terry O’Connor has just said I look grey. I don’t know if you can feel grey, but I feel grey!” he joked.

“I thought we were really good at the start of the game and controlled all the ball really; it would be nice if we could hold the ball like that all the time.

“But Cas came back strong and scored a couple of tries on the back of what I thought were individual errors on our part, so we can fix that.

“I think collectively we were pretty good throughout. I thought our right edge was a little blunt in attack, but again, that can be fixed, we’ve got a lot of new additions in key positions.

He concluded: “I guess if we don’t polish the attack up, any wins will be hard-fought wins like that and close encounters, which is not good for the ticker, but we got their in the end.”

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IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND...

5.30pm Sky Action & BBC Red Button
Hull KR v Salford

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Salford Red Devils 👹

The ABK Beer Fanzone returns this Saturday from 3pm!

🍻 Bavaria's finest beer
🌯 Delicious food
🗣 Player interviews

... and we'll be joined by Martin Birkett and Shane Hansen!

Grab your match tickets now, get down early and enjoy! 🙌

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