Titans beat Eels in NRL trial
History was made at Oakes Oval on Saturday night, with The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans securing the new club’s maiden victory, recording a 22-10 win over a scrappy Parramatta Eels side in a National Rugby League trial match.
A crowd of 8612 witnessed months of hard work pay off for the NRL new boys, with the electrifying Titans backline crossing for three converted tries in the final nine minutes to secure an entertaining victory.
In what was a scrappy game, both teams preferred to work on combinations for the arduous season ahead, with Titans halves Scott Prince and Matt Hilder communicating well throughout the night. It was a frustrating night for Titans union recruit Matt Rogers, dropping two difficult passes whilst in half gaps early in the match, and not returning for the second half.
The Eels had the better of the early forward exchanges, with powerhouse prop Fuifui Moimoi barrelling Titans defenders with his every charge. But the determination and power of the Titans defence blunted much of the Eels early dominance, leaving the score at 4-all at half-time.
Parrmatta went ahead 10-4 10 minutes after the break, but More the Gold Coast team came out firing in the last quarter, with Titans back rower Gavin Cooper scoring off a crafty Scott Prince grubber eight minutes from full-time. Chris Walker slotted the goal to make it 10-all with eight minutes left on the clock.
The Titans were in again just two minutes later, after a great interchange of passes saw Titans captain Scott Prince cross under the posts. Walker yet again nailed the conversion, and the Titans were on the verge of their first win at 16-10.
Gavin Cooper capped off a tremendous night in the centres with his second opportunist try just two minutes out from full-time.
The only injury concerns for the Titans were Brad Meyers, who limped off with an ankle injury, while for the Eels Chad Robinson and Eric Grothe both appeared to sustain ankle and head cut injuries respectively.
Gold Coast Titans 22 (Gavin Cooper 2, Jake Webster, Scott Prince tries; Chris Walker 3 goals) Parramatta Eels 10 (Jarryd Hayne, Joel Reddy tries; Luke Burt goal). At Oakes Oval, Lismore. Referee: Ben Cummins. Crowd: 8612.
