Round 7
Gold Coast Titans 38 d. Parramatta Eels 12

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

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

Titans wallop sick and sorry Eels
Mon April 30, 2007
Gold Coast Titans have produced their largest victory since re-entering the competition defeating a virus ridden Parramatta outfit 38-12 in front of a packed Carrara Stadium yesterday afternoon.

A mysterious virus went through the Eels camp during the week and it had an effect on their performance as the gutsy Titans outfit came ready to play and took full advantage of the situation.

The Gold Coast is a side that has a few top line players notably co-captains Scott Prince and Luke Bailey, however, the majority of the side is made up of hard workers, those willing to have a go and professional club footballers. There's certain big name Sydney clubs that can learn a lesson or three from the Titans in how to turn up ready to give their all no matter what the situation is in front of them.

It was another match marred by two of the worst innovations invented in Rugby League being the video referee and the new obstruction rule, but that didn't stop the Titans from producing a special special in front of a bumper crowd of over 18,000.

Anthony Laffranchi scored the Titans opening try in the 7th minute when he crashed over from near the line. The Titans second try was an absolute gem with Preston Campell coat hangered by Nathan Hindmarsh, but in the spirit the game should be played in got back up to his feet with the tackle not complete and put it through the hands with Prince kicking into the corner for Jake Webster to score in the 19th minute. Most other players in the game would have played for the penalty and Campbell showed the benefits of simply playing good football with the Titans up 10-0.

Prince was the mastermind of the Titans 3rd try when he put in a deft chip kick over the top with Campbell swooping on the ball and passing out to Josh Graham for a classic 32nd minute try. With the advent of all the ridiculous amounts of technology and rules in the game today, the best ways to now score tries is through intercepts, kicks, one off hit ups and dummy half runs - not the most exciting ways to cross the line. However, on this occasion the Titans did find a brilliant avenue to score and even though it involved a kick it wasn't one of them lottery bombs across the field.

Mat Rogers crossed for his first try since returning to Rugby League in the 38th minute when he ran the over angle hitting the hole perfectly from a great Prince pass. Campbell landed three conversions in the first half for the Titans to lead 22-0 at half time.

Laffranchi crossed for his second try four minutes after the break running onto a Prince pass following a great break from Brett Delaney to virtually seal victory for the home side. Delaney took over the goal kicking duties to push the Titans 28-0 clear.

Matthew Petersen rubbed salt into the Eels wounds with a try in the 54th minute for the Titans to lead 32-0 with Delaney's conversion attempt wide of the mark.

Parramatta scored two tries in seven minutes to help add some respect and pride in the back end of the match. PJ Marsh scored in the 64th minute and Nathan Hindmarsh scored a gem in the 71st minute with Luke Burt continuing his outstanding goal kicking record this season converting both of them.

Rogers scored his second try with four minutes remaining to give the Titans the final say on the match and Delaney's conversion made it 38-12, which remained that way until the full-time siren.

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