Tigers battle past Reds

Castleford Tigers withstood a second-half fightback from Salford City Reds to claim a 28-22 victory at the Willows.

Dean Widders' hat-trick and a try from Craig Huby gave the Tigers a 22-6 lead at the break before Salford roard back into contention.

Stuart Littler, Jodie Broughton and Ian Sibbit each touched down to bring the scores level at 22-22 with 20 minutes left.

But Brett Ferres' 74th-minute try ensured Castleford backed up Tuesday's 24-20 win over Catalans Dragons and maintained their play-off hopes.

Early tries

Steve Snitch made the game's first break before off-loading for Mitchell Sargent and stand-off Widders was in support to force the ball over on the right.

Joe Arundel then broke down the left in the fifth minute and passed inside for Ryan Hudson, and Widders was again there to apply the finishing touch.

With Salford still to get going, the Tigers claimed a third try in the 16th minute as Huby crashed over from close range from Rangi Chase's short ball.

Salford were struggling to run the ball out of their own half but finally managed to mount a sustained attack after Kirk Dixon knocked on and Ferres was penalised for a high tackle on Matty Smith.

Jodie Broughton was bundled out on the Salford left before Luke Swain broke through the Cas line 40 metres out and Karl Fitzpatrick was in support to finish off for the Reds' first try in the 24th minute.

But Cas stretched their lead in the 28th minute as Widders backed up a Kyle Wood break to complete a hat-trick.

Joe Westerman made it three goals from four attempts with the kick to give Cas a 22-6 half-time advantage.

Comeback

Salford started the second half strongly with two tries within six minutes of the restart.

Littler touched down from a Smith grubber before Broughton beat Ferres on the left wing to race over in the corner from 50 metres out.

Westerman missed a 40-metre penalty as he attempted to give Cas some breathing space.

And Salford then levelled after a chip-and-chase by star scrum-half Holdsworth sparked the move for Sibbit's try and Holdsworth converted to make it 22-22.

Both sides had chances to win it before Ferres burst through from Chase's pass with six minutes left to claim a deserved victory.