Tigers back on top

Youngquest: two tries for the leaders

Castleford returned to the summit of the Engage Super League standings after running in nine tries against Salford.

Kirk Dixon led the way with a try and eight goals from nine kicks, as the Tigers continued their impressive start to the season with their seventh win from eight games.

Winger Nick Youngquest and centre Joe Arundel each crossed twice as the Tigers maintained their 100% home record.

Salford made a decent contest of it until the Tigers took charge with three tries in a blistering six-minute spell shortly before half-time.

Castleford had grabbed a fourth-minute lead when Rangi Chase appeared to dislodge the ball from Salford skipper Daniel Holdsworth's hands and Youngquest scooped up the loose ball just inside his own half and sprinted clear for a try that Dixon converted.

The Reds had a let-off five minutes later when Tigers prop Craig Huby lost the ball after a powerful run took him over the try-line.

Salford survived further pressure before they hit back with two tries in two minutes.

Slick crossfield passing saw Stefan Ratchford send in Jodie Broughton and Holdsworth added a touchline goal.

The Reds quickly scored again after Dixon kicked the ball out of play on the full from the re-start. Salford failed to find touch from the resulting penalty from halfway but Tigers winger Richard Owen's efforts to keep the ball in play backfired when he palmed the ball into the path of the onrushing Broughton, who put in Vinnie Anderson.

Castleford regained the lead in the 27th minute when Dixon converted his own well-taken try after forcing his way over near the corner and the Tigers took a firm grip on the contest with an 18-point scoring burst before half-time.

Chase made the opening for Richard Mathers to cross, before Arundel pounced for a touchdown when Broughton fumbled Chase's high kick.

Seconds before the half-time hooter, the Tigers turned down the chance of an easy penalty goal and the decision paid off when Chase's superbly-judged kick to the corner saw Youngquest pluck the ball out of the air for his second try and his eighth of the season. Dixon's fifth goal put the Tigers 30-10 up at the break.

Sloppy

Salford started the second half well when Holdsworth goaled his own 42nd-minute try after capitalising on sloppy Castleford defensive work.

Five minutes later, Castleford regained a 20-point lead when Mathers sent substitute Dean Widders charging over and Dixon added a touchline conversion.

Salford's problems increased when Stephen Wild was sin-binned in the 53rd minute for a late challenge on Danny Orr after the Tigers captain put in a kick.

Castleford made use of the extra man when Ryan Hudson's off-load close to the try-line set up a score for teenager Daryl Clark.

The Tigers went further ahead when Chase hoisted another pinpoint kick to the corner to create a try for Owen and the Tigers completed the rout with Arundel's second try five minutes from time.

Salford grabbed a consolation with Adam Sidlow's last-minute try but they are still without a win over Castleford in more than five years.