Sunday, March 18, 2007

Dragons hold firm against lively Titans 20-18
Video Review: Click Here

The newly formed franchise - Gold Coast Titans proved that they will be a contender in NRL 2007, after courageously going down 20-18 to the St George-Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium today.

A large crowd of over 42,000 were on hand, to see the Gold Coast Titans first premiership match, with the Titans gutsy display winning them to a tonne of new fans.

In an entertaining first period, the Tians enjoyed more possession and field postion. Ex-Sharks star Matt Rogers showed flashes of brilliance and his involvement bringing the crowd to their feet.

The first points came in the 8th minute when a bouncing cut out pass from Campbell, found Chris Walker, who had a tough job to finish the movement and score his clubs first premiership points. Walker then added the extras to send the Titans into the lead 6-0.

Titans dropped ball soon afforded the Dragons their first chance, and the red and whites obliged scoring their first try in the 23rd minute. A solid dummy half run from Woolford found Ben Hornby in 2nd phase, who flicked a beautiful inside ball for new pivot Richie Williams to go in under the black dot. Wes Naiqama then easily nailed the conversion to level the scores.

A contentious penalty given in the 43rd min opened the door for the Dragons to hit the lead 8-6, given by Chris Walker for not playing the ball correctly.

New Dragons pivote Richie Williams then scored his second try 50 mins into the match, Ritchie intercepted a Scott Prince long pass and steered clear of the Titans defenders to go in under the sticks. Another easy conversion followed and the Saints were now in control at 14-6.

Again the Dragons were dangerous and 2 minutes later they were in to score again. This time winger Keith Lulia, after a slick backline movement that went 80 metres. Naiqama landed a hard one from the sideline to send the Saints well ahead 20-6.

The Titans hit back quickly, after quick penalties were given by the Saints and allowed the Titans gain good field position. The Titans backline then showed off its flair, with Prince, Campbell and Hilder sending solid Jake Webster into a gap, and the Kiwi International was able to offload to Chris Walker who bagged his second try. Chris Walker then converted his own try, seeing the Dragons lead narrowed to 20-12

An dubious chip from Prince in the 64th was then put down by Dragons fullback Josh Morris, allowing the Titans' Jake Webster to scoop up the ball to score an easy try. Walker converted again to make it 20-18 - bringing the Titans within a bee's dick of taking the lead.

Shortly after, the Saints had a chance to close the game out in the 73rd minute, when Wes
Naiqama appeared to have grounded a lost ball after a drop from Paea in the in-goal area. Claiming a try, the decision was sent to video referee Chris Ward who ruled No Try.

Ex-Union star Matt Rogers had the Titans faithful chanting in the 76th minute, when he cut through the Saints defence, sprinting 50 metres before chipping to the in-field. Paea got to the ball first for the Titans but couldn’t gain control of the bouncing ball with Hornby and Morris pressuring.

The Titans then sent attacking raids in waves during the final minutes, but the young Saints were able to hang in for an impressive win under the circumstances.

Injury worries loom for Gold Coast's Chris Walker who hobbled during match with a leg injury and more tests are expected on his thumb during the week, while for the Saints, a blood ridden Ben Creagh finished the game groggy and bleeding heavily after a massive second half head clash with Luke Bailey.


St George-Illawarra Dragons 20 (Richie Williams 2, Keith Lulia tries; Wes Naiqama 4 goals)
Defeated
Gold Coast Titans 18
(Chris Walker 2, Jake Webster tries; Chris Walker 3 goals)
At Suncorp Stadium