Pelite dazzles as Titans secure first-up win
Titans fullback Evania Pelite stole the show in Saturday's Queensland derby at Cbus Super Stadium as Gold Coast beat the Cowboys 16-6 in the NRLW season opener.
Pelite ran for 248 metres and had 15 tackle breaks while Shannon Mato was strong up front with 15 hit-ups for 156 metres.
It was the Cowboys inaugural signing Emma Manzelmann who created history early on in the match, after burning the Titans defence through the middle to score under the posts in the sixth minute. Captain Kirra Dibb converted from right in front to make the score 6-0.
The Cowboys right side defence proved too strong in the 12th minute when debutant Destiny Mino-Sinaparti had a breakaway before being taken into touch in the corner.
Titans were then left to cover positions as their newest recruit, centre, Niall Williams-Guthrie was taken from the field with a HIA in the 14th minute.
But it didn’t take long for the Titans to take a swing at the Cowboys, with centre Jaime Chapman breaking open the defence, and putting Mino-Sinaparti over in the corner, only for it to be disallowed in the 18th minute.
Mino-Sinaparti didn’t have to wait long before officially scoring on debut after an offload from veteran Steph Hancock, and quick hands out to the winger, who scored in the 24th minute. Lauren Brown’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful from the sideline making the score 6-4 in favour of the visitors.
The Cowboys attempted to return serve with Dibb diving over in the 27th minute, only to be disallowed due to an obstruction on the goal line.
The next set saw the Titans denied a try off the back of a bomb kick from debutant Chantay Kiria-Ratu which caused confusion for the Cowboys defenders allowing Williams-Guthrie to strip and score, before being called back for a knock-on in the 29th minute.
It was a first half full of errors and poor completion rates, with the Cowboys leading the game at half-time 6-4.
The errors continued early in the second half after Taliah Fuimaono broke the Cowboys defence open down the middle, passing to Mino-Sinaparti who lost the ball over the try line after a try saving effort from Krystal Blackwell.
It didn’t take long for the Titans to break through the Cowboys defence again, this time with Pelite streaming down the sideline and scoring in the 44th minute. Teenage talent Kiria-Ratu converted making the score 10-6, bring the home team in front for the first time in the match.
Five-eighth and Origin star Fuimaono was assisted from the field in the 47th minute with a suspected ankle injury.
Cowboys’ debutant Mia Middleton was put on report and sinbinned in the 53rd minute after a dangerous tackle on winger Emily Bass which saw Bass escorted from the field.
It was Pelite’s last line of defence, try saving tackle on Shania Power that gave the Titans a momentum lifter in the 58th minute.
Titans second rower Zara Canfield saw an opportunity to put the game to bed with a try under the posts in the 63rd minute, with a Lauren Brown conversion ending the game 16-6.
Match Snapshot
Cowboys winger Mia Middleton was placed on report and sin binned in the 53rd minute for a dangerous tackle.
Destiny Mino-Sinapati enjoyed a fine debut for the Titans with 11 runs for 105 metres and six tackle breaks.
The Titans completed just 22 of 36 sets at 61 per cent. The Cowboys were 23 of 30 at 76 per cent.
A total of 10 NRLW debutants were on show at Cbus Super Stadium.
Evania Pelite try 44th minute
Plays of the Game
It was the Cowboys' right side defence that made their presence felt early with winger China Polata putting a huge hit on debutant Destiny Mino-Sinapati. The youngster recovered quickly from the rib-rattler to post the game's opening try.
What's Next
The Titans play the Broncos in another all-Queensland clash at The Gabba in Round 2 while the Cowboys head to Sydney to face the Knights at Belmore Sports Ground.
