Titans carve up sloppy Panthers
Gold Coast Titans VS Penrith Panthers Trial Match (02/03/07)
The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans dazzled their loyal home crowd with some entertaining attacking rugby league, recording a dominant 28-6 victory over a disappointing Penrith Panthers at Carrara Stadium tonight.
A healthy but patient pro-Titans crowd were on hand to witness the fledgling club record back to back trial victories, with reformed rugby league bad boy Chris Walker starring for the home side.
It was a dour and scrappy fist quarter, with no less than nine dropped balls frustrating the 13,457 strong crowd. Both teams appeared to struggle with the humid conditions for much of the first half, with both Coaches sure to work on their below average completion rates ahead of the premierships opening round in a fortnight.
Interchange hooker Preston Campbell awoke the restless crowd in the 28th minute, when he latched onto an intercept pass from Craig Gower, racing 65m downfield before being reeled in by Panthers fullback Rhys Wesser. But again, loose passing prevented the home team from scoring that illusive first try.
But the diminutive hooker made amends in the 33rd minute, when he pounced on a well weighted Scott Prince grubber kick, to ground the ball under the posts. Rejuvenated fullback Chris Walker slotted the extras to hand the home team a 6-0 advantage.
The Titans went further ahead just three minutes later, when a loose ball was toed ahead by Campbell, who linked up with a flying Walker in support. The colourful winger was able to outpace the Panthers cover defence to finish off a breathtaking 50 metre movement. Walker nailed the conversion from out wide, putting the home side 12-0 up at the break.
Dual international Matt Rogers got the crowd jumping just six minutes into the second half, after yet another Panthers loose pass, was toed in goal by Rogers, who touched down under the posts. Replacement centre Brett Delaney slotted the easy conversion, and the Titans were dominating at 18-0.
The Panthers hit back in the 61st minute after a glut of possession, with new signing Brett Firman pouncing on a deft Peter Wallace grubber. Wallace was able to land the conversion, but the Panthers were still struggling at 18-6.
It was the small men for the Titans that were carving the larger Panthers forwards to shreds, with some great ball movement by Matt Hilder and Chris Walker putting Titans co-captain Scott Prince over in the 67th minute. Chris Walker landed the simple conversion, and the Titans were on their way to recording just their second win in their short history.
Not to be outdone, fellow Titans co-captain Luke Bailey finished the scoring for the night, after some great blindside interplay between Walker and Lelea Paea put an impressive Bailey over in the corner. Walker was unable to convert from the sideline, but the Titans were home at 28-6.
Both teams enjoy next weekend off, with the Titans to meet the St George-Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday the 18th of March, while Penrith will do battle with the Cronulla Sharks.
Gold Coast Titans 28 (Preston Campbell, Chris Walker, Matt Rogers, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey tries; Chris Walker 3, Brett Delaney goals)
Defeated
Penrith Panthers 6 (Brett Firman try; Peter Wallace goals)
At Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast
Referee – Ben Cummins
Crowd – 13,457
Penalties – Titans 6-4
