Titans back in the winners circle with Campbelltown victory

The Gold Coast Titans have returned to the winners circle, defeating the Wests Tigers 36 points to 28 at Campbelltown.

The victory keeps the Titans in the NRL's top eight after nine rounds.

It was a fast start again for the Titans, with the Gold Coast attack again on point.

It was Anthony Don who had the best of the early chances.

First, the veteran winger crossed the line, but the play was called back for an obstruction.

Don went close again when he gathered a high ball from Jamal Fogarty, winning the contest just before the try line, but finishing inches short of the line.

After the early chances, it was the 7th minute when the Titans opened the scoring.

Phillip Sami scored the try, but it was a nice play by Tanah Boyd who grubbered through from 10 metres out to find the winger un-marked.

Off the kick-off, the Titans went again.

The length of the field effort was reminiscent of the try the Titans compiled against the Knights a few weeks earlier.

Don caught the kick and passed to Jarrod Wallace who, before hitting the line, passed to AJ Brimson.  The fullback beat Adam Doueihi and ran 40 metres before finding Tyrone Peachey with the lock holding off a chasing Luke Brooks to score.

One set later and the Titans were in again.  This time it was Brian Kelly who scored his first try of the season. 

While it will go does as a try for the backs, the forwards deserve the credit.  It was a Wallace offload that started the play, finding Tino Fa’asuamaleaui who in turn popped a pass to David Fifita before Kelly found space down the left-hand side.

Tries in the 8th, 10th and 13th minute saw the Titans race to an 18-0 lead, but after giving up a fast start against the Broncos last week the game was far from done.

The Tigers built pressure on the Titans line and after being repelled for two repeat sets, the Gold Coast side couldn’t hold on after a third.

Joey Leuilua hit the ball at pace close to the line to open the scoring for the home side.

Mitch Rein gave away a penalty for a high shot and the Tigers marched down field with Daine Laurie proving a threat in attack.  Stefano Utoikamanu barged over but was held up by the Titans defence, however after repeat sets close to the line it was hooker Jake Simpkin who went himself close to the line to score the Tigers second.

With momentum starting to shift back towards the home side, it was the visitors who scored against the run of play to stretch the lead at halftime.  Jamal Fogarty booted high into the air with Anthony Don chasing through to contest the bomb.  The winger beat three Tigers to gain possession and popped a brilliant little tip on pass to Beau Fermor who crossed in the corner to score his first try for 2021.

Up 24 points to 12 at the break, the Titans were determined to make sure their first half efforts didn’t go to waste.

The Tigers were in attack searching for points when Luke Brooks attempted a grubber through the Titans line.  Jamal Fogarty fielded the ball, with the sharp catch followed by a sprint down field.  Fogarty beat two defenders, finding Anthony Don who charged down-field.  On the next play the Titans went left with Fermor throwing a long ball to Tanah Boyd with the ball going through the hands to Phillip Sami who scored his second try of the night.

Playing in the #19 jersey after being included in the side with Ash Taylor out, Tanah Boyd had a fantastic game.

After having a hand in setting up tries, the five-eighth scored one of his own.

A Fogarty grubber bounced off the feet of his co-captain Kevin Proctor, with Fogarty getting a second boot to the ball.  The soccer style exchange saw the ball back in the Titans hands and another kick into the in-goal from Tyrone Peachey gave Boyd the chance to race through and score.

David Nofoaluma gave the Tigers hope, with two tries in quick succession to pile the pressure back onto the Titans side.

Jamal Fogarty argued the case in Nofoaluma's first try.  David Fifita had the ball knocked out by James Tamou and Fogarty was calling for a challenge after being convinced that the Tigers had knocked-on.  

With minutes to go in the game, Nofoaluma again threatened in what turned out to be a scary few moments for both teams.

As Nofoaluma dived for the corner, the Titans defence of Brimson, Fifita and Boyd came across to save the try.  With all four flying at pace, they tumbled towards the wire fencing close to the in-goal with three of the players whacking the fence.  Nofoaluma looked to have fared the worst with an injury after the contact.

Tyrone Peachey was put on report for a shoulder charge and David Fifita was sent to the bin with a minute remaining for a high shot on Doueihi. 

The Tigers five-eighth scored another late try to close the margin even further, but the Titans hung on to take their fourth win of the season.

The Titans next challenge is against the table topping Penrith Panthers at the NRL's Magic Round before a return to Cbus Super Stadium against the Canterbury Bulldogs.