StephenP
ArnoldTitans put Bulldogs to the sword
May 16th 2008 12:17
The Gold Coast Titans have withstood a spirited fightback from an understrength Canterbury Bulldogs outfit, to record a thrilling 24-20 victory and keep their undefeated record on the Skilled Park surface intact.
The Titans Scott Prince was again at his explosive best with yet another stellar, five-star performance, while co-captain Luke Bailey pushing his case for an Origin recall with a strong display upon return from injury.
The Bulldogs put a woeful first-half display behind them to come charging home late in the piece, with a 74th minute try to lock Reni Maitua providing the vocal Robina crowd with a grandstand finish.
After withstanding a mountain of Bulldogs attack early, it was the majestic skills of Titans half Scott Prince that allowed the home side to post first points through a try to rookie Smith Samau.
Off the back of a long range Brett Delaney bust, it was the cool head of Prince under pressure that delivered a precision three man cut-out pass onto the chest of Samau, enabling the young flanker to race over for his first try of the year.
The ‘Prince show’ was on again just three minutes later, this time the scheming playmaker holding back and firing a beautiful pass onto the chest of a rampaging Brad Meyers, allowing the rangy backrower to crash over for a rare four-pointer.
After missing with his first conversion, Prince made no mistakes the second time around, affording the Gold Coast a shock 10-0 lead after just 14 minutes.
The Titans shot out to a 16-0 lead after 23 minutes when Nathan Friend found some room to move down a narrow blindside, the tireless hooker sending winger Ben Jeffery on a 30-metre charge before passing infield fro centre Luke O’Dwyer to complete a skilful team try.
Bulldogs winger Matt Utai got his side back into the match when he rumbled over for a try in the 28th minute, with a converted Cameron Phelps try right on the stroke of half-time making it 16-10 to the home side at the break.
Prince made the chances of a Bulldogs comeback even harder when he produced a trademark show-and-go to cross for his own converted try in the 46th minute, but Canterbury hooker Corey Hughes kept his side in touch at 22-16 with a 53rd minute try.
But as was the case all match, silly penalties by the Bulldogs all but cost them the match, with Prince’s 61st minute penalty goal seemingly getting the Gold Coast home at 24-16.
Maitua’s try was not enough in the end, with the Bulldogs plummeting to their third successive loss.
Gold Coast Titans 24
Tries: Smith Samau, Brad Meyers, Luke O’Dwyer, Scott Prince
Goals: Scott Prince 4
defeated
Canterbury Bulldogs 20
Tries: Matt Utai, Cameron Phelps, Corey Hughes, Reni Maitua
Goals: Daniel Holdsworth 2
At Skilled Park
Referee – Jason Robinson
The Titans Scott Prince was again at his explosive best with yet another stellar, five-star performance, while co-captain Luke Bailey pushing his case for an Origin recall with a strong display upon return from injury.
The Bulldogs put a woeful first-half display behind them to come charging home late in the piece, with a 74th minute try to lock Reni Maitua providing the vocal Robina crowd with a grandstand finish.
After withstanding a mountain of Bulldogs attack early, it was the majestic skills of Titans half Scott Prince that allowed the home side to post first points through a try to rookie Smith Samau.
Off the back of a long range Brett Delaney bust, it was the cool head of Prince under pressure that delivered a precision three man cut-out pass onto the chest of Samau, enabling the young flanker to race over for his first try of the year.
The ‘Prince show’ was on again just three minutes later, this time the scheming playmaker holding back and firing a beautiful pass onto the chest of a rampaging Brad Meyers, allowing the rangy backrower to crash over for a rare four-pointer.
After missing with his first conversion, Prince made no mistakes the second time around, affording the Gold Coast a shock 10-0 lead after just 14 minutes.
The Titans shot out to a 16-0 lead after 23 minutes when Nathan Friend found some room to move down a narrow blindside, the tireless hooker sending winger Ben Jeffery on a 30-metre charge before passing infield fro centre Luke O’Dwyer to complete a skilful team try.
Bulldogs winger Matt Utai got his side back into the match when he rumbled over for a try in the 28th minute, with a converted Cameron Phelps try right on the stroke of half-time making it 16-10 to the home side at the break.
Prince made the chances of a Bulldogs comeback even harder when he produced a trademark show-and-go to cross for his own converted try in the 46th minute, but Canterbury hooker Corey Hughes kept his side in touch at 22-16 with a 53rd minute try.
But as was the case all match, silly penalties by the Bulldogs all but cost them the match, with Prince’s 61st minute penalty goal seemingly getting the Gold Coast home at 24-16.
Maitua’s try was not enough in the end, with the Bulldogs plummeting to their third successive loss.
Gold Coast Titans 24
Tries: Smith Samau, Brad Meyers, Luke O’Dwyer, Scott Prince
Goals: Scott Prince 4
defeated
Canterbury Bulldogs 20
Tries: Matt Utai, Cameron Phelps, Corey Hughes, Reni Maitua
Goals: Daniel Holdsworth 2
At Skilled Park
Referee – Jason Robinson
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