Round 4
Penrith Panthers 22 l. Gold Coast Titans 24

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Titans win first match in Sydney
Sun April 8, 2007
Premiership 'newcomers' Gold Coast Titans took one huge step forward today defeating Penrith 24-22 in a thriller played before 15,022 fans at Penrith Stadium today, which was their first win in Sydney since returning to the big time.

The Titans were doing it comfortably at 24-10 heading into the final six minutes before the Panthers nearly pulled off two miracle comebacks in successive weeks.

Gold Coast dominated the early field position and knocked back two simple penalty goals, which appeared to have back fired on them. The Titans confidence was rewarded in the 7th minute when second-rower Anthony Laffranchi crossed over. Campbell added the extras for the Titans to lead 6-0 and soon after missed an easy shot at penalty goal. With all the Penrith players bunched in a huddle, Campbell could have deliberaty sprayed the kick or at worst aimed for a rebound off the posts with the Gold Coast outside players unmarked. It was a tactic last used back in the days when the great Michael Cronin was running around at the Eels.

Campbell made up for his missed goal moments later when he was on the spot from a well-timed grubber kick to score in the 16th minute. Campbell converted his own try with the Titans up 12-0.

Rhys Wesser made up for some earlier errors when he got Penrith on the board with a try in the 27th minute. Michael Gordon converted with the Panthers back within a converted try.

It was Campbell in the action again for the Titans 3rd try when he produced a neat grubber for Scott Prince to chase though and score. Campbell landed his 3rd conversion for the Gold Coast to extend the margin back out to 12 points.

The kick into the ingoal area was proving fruitful for the Gold Coast and this time it was Luke Bailey who pounced on the grubbing kick to push the Titans well clear after 52 minutes. Following Campbell's successful conversion, the Titans all the sudden led 24-6.

Penrith's main tactic all game had been to test out Campbell, a former favourite at Penrith Stadium, with all sorts of kicks. Finally the Panthers tried something different on the last tackle when they ran down the blind side with Frank Pritchard scoring in the corner with 22 minutes remaining. Gordon failed to convet, which ultimately proved costly.

The match appeared to be heading along to the conclusion without much drama until Gordon crossed over in the 74th minute and he converted his own try to bring Penrith back within eight points.

Penrith last week trailed Brisbane by eight points with less than three minutes remaining and the Broncos deep on the attack to snatch an extraordinary victory and just when it all looked lost for the Panthers today Pritchard scored his second try to give Penrith one last hope. Gordon converted and the Panthers would have 50 seconds of attack left in the match. The Panthers chanced their arm and nearly pulled off the miracle again with only a forward pass and desperate Titans defence saving the day.

It was an important away victory for the Titans who lost centres Mat Rogers and Jake Webster on match eve. It could have been easy for the Gold Coast to have one eye on the blockbuster against Brisbane last week, but the professionalism of the Gold Coast setup headed up by coach John Cartwright, head trainer Billy Johnstone and chief executive Michael Searle ensured that the Titans will be ready to play no matter the situation or circumstances.

Full credit though to Penrith who never gave up and also attracting over 15,000 supporters on a mixed day weather wise in Sydney to watch a 'new' side in the competition that brought only a small band of dedicated supporters with them.

Gold Coast will look back at this game as one where they found their mark in Sydney and they should have many more wins in front of them. The Titans stuck to basics where they looked to hold possession, have a good kick chase and kicked for repeat sets, which they achieved all three with success and ultimately ended up with the two competition points.


Meyers added to Titans squad in only change
Tue April 3, 2007
Source: www.titans.com.au

Jetstar Gold Coast Titans Coach John Cartwright has made one change to the side which took on the Bulldogs for the clash with Penrith at CUA Stadium this Sunday.

Brad Meyers has been included as 18th man, with Daniel Conn returning to play in the Queensland Cup for Tweed Heads Seagulls.

The squad will depart from the Jetstar terminal at Gold Coast Airport at 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon, with the match scheduled for 2.00pm on Sunday.

1. Preston Campbell
2. Lelea Paea
3. Mat Rogers
4. Jake Webster
5. Matthew Petersen
6. Matthew Hilder
7. Scott Prince
8. Luke Bailey
9. Clint Amos
10. Kris Kahler
11. Anthony Laffranchi
12. Gavin Cooper
13. Luke Swain

Subs:
14. Josh Graham
15. Michael Henderson
16. Mark Minichiello
17. Nathan Friend
20. Brad Meyers
(one to be omitted)

Coach: John Cartwright

News sent by: www.titans.com.au

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