http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=359036
Titans claim 22-10 trial win over Eels
24th February 2007, 19:24 WST
Former Wallaby Mat Rogers had a quiet return to the NRL as the Gold Coast notched their first ever victory - a come-from-behind 22-10 win over Parramatta in a lacklustre trial tonight in Lismore.
The Titans trailed 10-4 after 70 minutes before crossing three times in the dying stages - twice through second-rower Gavin Cooper and another via co-captain Scott Prince, easily his team's best player tonight.
Rogers was understandably rusty after a five-year absence but then again so were the Eels and his teammates, who were playing together for the first time as a full-strength unit.
The 31-year-old didn't touch the ball until 12 minutes into the error-riddled match played in front of an 8,612-strong crowd.
He knocked on a difficult pass, and later dropped another tough ball directed above his head.
Dual international Rogers, who quit rugby union in December to join the Titans, saw very little ball throughout the remainder of the half and was rested for the final 40 minutes.
Sydney Roosters recruit Brett Finch also failed to make an impact playing five-eighth for Parramatta alongside No.7 Tim Smith.
A near full-strength Eels, missing only Test duo Nathan Hindmarsh and Timana Tahu, dominated the early exchanges.
They were rewarded for their good field position in the 10th minute when Joel Reddy fed the ball for try-scoring machine Jarryd Hayne to score in the left corner.
Fullback Luke Burt sprayed the attempted conversion wide to leave Parramatta 4-0 ahead.
The rest of the first half turned into an arm wrestle before Kiwi international and Titans winger Jake Webster breathed some life into the contest, putting a wicked step on Hayne to cross in the right corner.
Former Eels centre Brett Delaney missed the extras as the scores were locked at 4-all at halftime.
Parramatta edged ahead 10-6 in the 50th minute through a converted try to Reddy
after back-rower Todd Lowrie sent a beautiful pass to the centre, who carried rookie Smith Samau over the line in the right corner.
Prince engineered a try for Cooper with a well-weighted grubber in the 71st minute and then scored one himself two minutes later to give the Titans a 16-10 advantage.
Cooper capped a pleasing night when he latched onto a Matt Hilder bomb and scored a double to put the game beyond doubt.
NSW Origin and Eels winger Eric Grothe left the field early in the match with a suspected ankle injury while Titans back-rower Brad Meyers went into the sheds five minutes before halftime with his ankle heavily iced.
The Titans take on Penrith at Carrara Stadium while the Eels meet Sydney Roosters in Gosford next weekend.
AAP
