Titans secure maiden victory in Lismore
Written by: Titans Media
February 24th, 2007 10:58 PM
Gold Coast Titans Parramata Eels Lismore trial[z]1789[/z]
History was made at Oakes Oval tonight, with The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans securing the new clubs maiden victory, recording a 22-10 win over a scrappy Parramatta Eels side.
A record crowd of 8612 braved the cool Lismore conditions, to witness months of hard work pay off for the NRL new boys, with the electrifying Titans backline crossing for three converted tries in the final nine minutes to secure an entertaining victory.
In what was a scrappy game, both teams preferred to work on combinations for the arduous season ahead, with Titans halves Scott Prince and Matt Hilder communicating well throughout the night. It was a frustrating night for Titans Union recruit Matt Rogers, dropping two difficult passes whilst in half gaps early in the match, and not returning for the second half.
The Eels had the better of the early forward exchanges,
with powerhouse prop Fuifui Moimoi barrelling Titans defenders with his every charge. But the determination and power of the Titans defence blunted much of the Eels early dominance.
The youthful Eels backline clicked into gear in the 10th minute, with a simple overlap movement allowing Jarryd Hayne to cross in the corner unopposed. Luke Burt’s sideline conversion sailed wide, but the Eels had the ascendancy at 4-0.
The Titans first foray into the Eels danger zone almost reaped dividends for Jake Webster in the 13th minute, with Scott Prince’s grubber kick just rolling dead despite the desperate lunge by the big Kiwi international.
Sustained pressure by the Eels midway through the first half saw the visitors come close to scoring, with only desperate Titans last ditch scrambling defence preventing them from adding to the score.
In the 35th minute, Titans interchange forward Kris Kahler steamed onto a great Scott Prince pass, with only desperate last ditch defence by Luke Burt and Jarryd Hayne preventing him from scoring.
However, a dropped ball shortly after by Burt proved costly for the Eels, with Titans centre Brett Delaney finding a rampaging Webster, who outpaced the Eels cover defence to touch down in the corner. Brett Delaney’s sideline conversion attempt blew wide, leaving the score at 4 all at half time.
More concerted pressure by the Eels saw new recruit Todd Lowrie put winger Joel Reddy over in the 50th minute. This time Luke Burt nailed the sideline conversion, pushing the Eels ahead by 10-4.
The Eels were able to gain great field position thanks to a string of penalties by Referee Ben Cummins, allowing the visitors to camp down on the Titans goal line for much of the third quarter, with only desperate Titans defence preventing them from scoring.
The Gold Coast team came out firing in the last quarter, with Titans back rower Gavin Cooper scoring off a crafty Prince grubber in the 72nd minute. Chris Walker slotted the goal to make it 10 all with eight minutes left on the clock.
The Titans were in again just two minutes later, after a great interchange of passes saw Titans captain Scott Prince cross under the posts. Walker yet again nailed the conversion, and the Titans were on the verge of their first win at 16-10.
Gavin Cooper capped off a tremendous night in the centres with his second opportunist try just two minutes out from full time, after young Titans winger Smith Samau knocked a bomb back into the waiting hands of Cooper. Chris Walker slotted another tough conversion, securing the Titans their first ever win, 22-10.
The only injury concerns for the Titans were Brad Meyers, who limped off with an ankle injury, while for the Eels Chad Robinson and Eric Grothe both appeared to sustain ankle and head cut injuries respectively.
Gold Coast Titans 22 (Gavin Cooper 2, Jake Webster, Scott Prince tries; Chris Walker 3 goals)
Defeated
Parramatta Eels 10 (Jarryd Hayne, Joel Reddy tries; Luke Burt goal)
At Oakes Oval, Lismore
Referee – Ben Cummins
Crowd - 8612
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