All about that Bass: Titans down Dragons in opener

The Titans' quest to go one better than last year's runner-up finish is off to a perfect start after they powered past the Dragons 18-10 on Sunday afternoon. 

Propelled by a hat-trick of tries from winger Emily Bass, the Titans dominated the encounter at WIN Stadium, enjoying the lion's share of possession and controlling field position well on the back of the stellar kicking game of Lauren Brown.

The Maroons playmaker caused major issues for the opposing back three with her towering bombs, in addition to forcing a pair of dropouts and nailing her long-range tactical game. 

Also outstanding was fullback Evania Pelite, who came up with some telling defensive interventions, carried the ball for 170 metres and scored a try.

Up 10-0 at the break, the Titans raced out of the sheds for the second half and added another to give themselves some breathing room and take the punch out of the home crowd. 

Karyn Murphy's side had earlier made a roaring start with a pair of nearly identical four-pointers from Bass, which saw former Dragon Shaylee Bent provide the final pass for her winger to go over untouched. 

A clever one-two movement between Brown and Pelite saw the latter fly through a gap from close range early in the second period, before the hosts finally got on the board through Bobbi Law.

But it was quickly cancelled out by Bass' third with 20 to go. 

Teagan Berry got another back with 11 to play – crossing for her ninth try in five games against the Titans – but it was too late to im

Match Snapshot

• The Gold Coast broke 38 tackles in the win and completed 81 percent of their sets.
• After scoring just six tries in her 11 career games prior, Titans wing Emily Bass scored three in the space of 50 minutes on Sunday afternoon.
• Titans winger Karina Brown lasted only 12 minutes before being forced from the field with a calf injury.
• The Titans now have two wins and a loss at WIN Stadium.
• Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored nine tries in five games against the Titans.

Play of the Game
A heads-up play from two of the Titans' top performers to all but put the game away.

Evania Pelite linked with her playmaker Lauren Brown from dummy-half, before Brown passed back inside and caught the Dragons defence over chasing, leaving Pelite to go over for an easy try.