Castleford Tigers winger Justin Carney scored two tries tonight at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle, as the Tigers held off a challenge from Salford Red Devils to win 30-16.
Carney was also sinbinned for ten minutes alongside Salford’s returning star Rangi Chase in a game that generated a considerable degree of heat.
Carney drew first blood with a try after just nine minutes, and four minutes later Liam Finn touched down for their second, with Luke Gale converting both tries.
Chase led the fightback for Salford, however, and his grubber kick was pounced on by hooker Tommy Lee to open Salford’s account.
The Tigers replied with a dazzling try from Michael Shenton, with a move that began from in front of their own posts and which saw the ball move through many pairs of hands, although this time Gale couldn’t add the goal.
Weller Hauraki kept the Red Devils in the game with a fine try, although they yielded a try right on the interval to Tigers’ prop forward Scott Wheeldon, with Gale adding the goal for a 22-12 half-time lead.
James Clare put the Tigers further ahead early in the second half, when he took advantage of a dropped ball on the Salford line by Ben Jones-Bishop and when Carney went over again the Tigers had an 18 point lead after 65 minutes.
The Red Devils replied with a consolation try by Jones-Bishop, but the Tigers held on and once again were able to celebrate with ‘Sweet Caroline’ at the final whistle.
A full report and photos from this game will feature in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express.
