Roosters pluck win at the death in Cbus thriller

The Sydney Roosters have won a thriller at Cbus Super Stadium, with Sam Walker slotting the game winning field-goal after a brilliant Gold Coast comeback.

Trailing 30 points to 4, the Titans powered home to hit the lead with minutes remaining, but it was a classy Roosters side who sealed the game.

After 13 minutes, the Roosters opened the scoring with Matt Ikuvalu crashing over.

The Roosters second try came five minutes later with Angus Crichton crossed.

The second rower hit a big hole, powering his way towards the line before being cut down by Jayden Campbell.

It was a valiant effort by the Titans fullback and the crowd pleaded for a double movement as Crichton bounced his way across the line.

Patrick Herbert continued his strong run of form, while the Titans new recruits (Campbell, Joe Vuna and Greg Marzhew) impressed in their second game for the club.

With ten minutes left in the half, Greg Marzhew made a break pushing the Titans down into an attacking position.

Returning after playing Origin on Wednesday, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui stayed down after an uncomfortable tackle followed the Marzhew break.  It was put on report for a crusher tackle.

Sam Stone went close to crossing as he barged his way towards the line with the Titans running the ball on the last play but couldn’t cross.

The Roosters gave the Gold Coast side another attacking opportunity when a Sam Walker cut-out ball missed the mark and went into touch.

Campbell went within millimetres of his first Titans try, squeezing through a gap between Lachlan Lam and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves but finished just short of the line.

The try finally came for the Titans just before the halftime break, with Jamal Fogarty crossing for a great captain’s try.

The Roosters talk an 18 points to 4 lead into the break and quickly stretched it further as the second stanza began.

In a frantic few minutes, Sam Walker scored, David Fifita left the field for a HIA and then Walker left the field with a shoulder issue.

It was hard running and poor defence that saw the Roosters in again, with Joseph Manu crossing as the Sydney side hit 30 points.

Jamal Fogarty got one back for the Gold Coast and on ‘Superhero Saturday’, this was his audition as The Flash.  Fogarty took a quick tap and ran straight through the Roosters line, nobody seemingly knowing what was happening except the Titans halfback.

At 30 points to 10, the momentum shifted the way of the Coast.

Roosters hooker Ben Marschke was sent to the sin bin after he collected Fogarty high.  With 23 minutes left in the game, the Roosters were down to 12 men.

The Gold Coast capitalised with points.

First it was Tyrone Peachey.  Playing off the interchange bench, Peachey provided spark in his time on field which included a try off the back of a darting run.  The grounding was checked but was given the all clear and the gap closed slightly.

Off the kickoff, Jarrod Wallace showed his intent, bouncing off defenders, while Jamal Fogarty again found space through the middle of the field.  Peachey, kicking on the last, forced an error and the Titans attack continued.

Fogarty continued his strong game, this time hitting Brian Kelly with a perfect flat ball to put the centre across the line.

Five minutes later it was Fa’asuamaleaui who crossed and the Titans were back within two points.

Then it was the co-captains combined to put the Coast in front.  Fogarty put a perfectly weighted grubber kick through for Kevin Proctor who scored.  Fogarty converted to give the Titans a 34 points to 30 lead.

The Roosters weren't done and after a Titans knock-on, they attacked with just four minutes left in the game.  

Ikuvalu had his second with a super human finish.  The winger dived, flipped and scored in the one motion as Phillip Sami pressured.

Sam Walker had a kick from the sideline to level the scores but missed, meaning scores were locked with just over three minutes remaining.

Lam took a long range field goal shot which fell 20 metres short and then the Titans marched down field - Wallace with a huge run to put them into Roosters territory.

The ball bounced out of the grasp of Jamal Fogarty and the Roosters had their chance.

Set up in prime position, Sam Walker slotted the drop-goal and the Roosters hit the front.

With just a minute left on the clock, the play proved the game winner.

The Roosters winning 35 points to 34.

The Titans return to Cbus Super Stadium in round 15 for a Sunday afternoon clash against the Manly Sea Eagles.