Titans gritty in tight loss to Cronulla in Coffs
Cronulla have won a tight clash in Coffs Harbour, defeating the Titans 18 points to 10.
AJ Brimson had moments of brilliance, while both Jamayne Isaako and Greg Marzhew had good games on the wing.
Through the middle Isaac Liu led the way, with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui again putting in a captain's performance.
A converted try to Blayke Brailey and 58th minute penalty goal to Nicho Hynes ensured the Sharks secured their ninth win of the season after both sides were locked at 10-10 after 40 minutes.
The victory moves Cronulla in front of the Broncos in fourth spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder ahead of the representative round next week.
Both sides struggled with their completion rates while a total of 12 penalties in the match made it difficult for any free-flowing attack despite dry conditions on the mid north coast.
The Titans will take plenty away from the loss but will lament their last-tackle options on the few occasions they had field position.
Cronulla appeared to look threatening and on track for a big day out with two tries in four minutes setting up a 10-0 lead after 14 minutes via tries through Sione Katoa and Matt Moylan.
The Titans hit back with two tries of their own within the space of six minutes to level the scores.
Back-rower Beau Fermor sold some candy with an impressive dummy fooling Will Kennedy, before Greg Marzhew tippy-toed his way to the line in the left corner.
Cronulla had all the running late in the first half but couldn't capitalise with eight errors in the opening 40 minutes.
Gold Coast's ability to stop half chances created by the Sharks kept them in the contest for its majority.
The Sharks hit the lead four minutes into the second half when Teig Wilton hit a hole on the left edge to send Blayke Brailey over the line.
A high shot from Jaimin Jolliffe on Moylan allowed Hynes to step up and add another two points, more importantly giving Cronulla an eight-point lead.
Sharks centre Jesse Ramien was placed on report for contacting Beau Fermor with his elbow while in possession of the ball.
The Titans were denied a spectacular consolation try on full-time with Moylan ruled to have knocked the ball on at the other end of the field.
It wasn't a flashy play, nor is it ever likely to end up on a highlight real. But the effort from Jesse Ramien after half-time to keep AJ Brimson in-goal allowed the Sharks to strike the next play through Blayke Brailey and set up the win in a gritty contest.
The likes of Nicho Hynes and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui are likely to go into Origin II camps while Isaac Liu and Erin Clark (New Zealand), Moeaki Fotuaika (Tonga) are the Titans representatives.
After the representative break, the Titans will face the Knights in Newcastle.
