Round 6
Brisbane Broncos 24 l. Gold Coast Titans 26

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Titans still on top after win over Broncos
Sat April 19, 2008
Source: www.titans.com.au

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans continued their early-season charge to retain top spot on the NRL ladder with a nail-biting 26-24 victory over arch rivals Brisbane at Skilled Park.

A hat-trick to cult figure Matt Petersen and an important second-half try from tough forward Anthony Laffranchi helped seal the win - the Titans' fifth from six matches to start the season.

The match had more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, with the Broncos scoring two late tries to give the Titans a late scare in front of 27,176 fans - the biggest ever crowd recorded at Skilled Park.

But the Titans dug their heels in to win, continuing the club's unbeaten record at the state-of-the-art new home - a venue which is quickly growing a reputation as a graveyard for visiting teams.

Halfback Scott Prince was again at his scheming best, throwing the final pass for tries to Laffranchi and five-eighth Ashley Harrison while Petersen again showed why he has become a crowd favourite among the Titans faithful.

Fullback Preston Campbell also played his best game for the club in some time, displaying some of his trademark footwork and also some toughness at the back when collared by the Broncos' defence.

The Titans always looked in control of the match despite Brisbane's refusal to go away.

Titans coach John Cartwright said he was proud of the way his side didn't go into its shell when the Broncos fought their way back into the game.

"Our combinations are getting there - we're scoring tries from guys starting to really know what each other are doing," said Cartwright.

"Just at the moment it's really pleasing signs.

"It got very tense but probably at stages last year we may have gone back into our shell and I was a bit concerned when they scored so early in the second half because we really felt we had to score again to win even though we were still in front.

"It was just really pleasing that we didn't go into our shell and they kept using the football and playing up tempo."

Of the local derby, Titans co-captain Scott Prince quipped: "I've got an older brother and it's always nice to get one up on him."

News sent by: www.titans.com.au


Broncos NRL and NYC teams for Titans clash
Tue April 15, 2008
Brisbane will travel an hour south on Friday night when they do battle against the Gold Coast Titans at Robina's Skilled Park stadium.

It'll be the Broncos first match on Australia's most popular holiday strip since 2001 when they moved a home match to Carrara Stadium. Captain Darren Lockyer will be missing with David Stagg selected to start at five-eighth. Justin Hodges will continue to captain the Broncos in Lockyer's absence after being cleared of a neck injury.

Originally the match was scheduled to be played at Suncorp Stadium, but the NRL announced on 23d January 2008 that the clash would be switched to Skilled Park with the venue for the corresponding match in Round 24 between the two clubs now being Suncorp Stadium (previously scheduled as Skilled Stadium). This change is due to scheduling restrictions at Suncorp Stadium during the Heritage Round weekend.

A capacity crowd is expected for the match and supporters from both sides are urged to pre-purchase tickets.

Kick off for Friday's NRL clash will be 7:30pm with the popular Toyota Cup competition match between the Broncos and Titans to start two hours earlier.

Broncos (NRL):
1 Karmichael Hunt, 2 Denan Kemp, 3 Steve Michaels, 4 Justin Hodges (c), 5 Darius Boyd, 6 David Stagg, 7 Peter Wallace, 8 Ben Hannant, 9 Michael Ennis, 10 Joel Clinton, 11 Sam Thaiday, 12 Ashton Sims, 13 Tonie Carroll. Subs: 14 Corey Parker, 15 Nick Kenny, 16 Greg Eastwood, 17 David Taylor, 18 Joel Moon (one to be omitted).

Broncos (NYC):
1 Josh Hoffman, 2 Mitch Rivett, 3 Will Tupou, 4 Gerard Beale, 5 Jharal Yow Yeh, 6 Andrew McCullough, 7 Ben Hunt, 8 Josh McGuire, 9 Tom Butterfield, 10 Mitchell Dodds, 11 Matt Handcock, 12 Michael Spence, 13 Alex Glenn (c). Subs: 14 Jared Kahu, 15 Guy Ford, 16 Josh Coyle, 17 Jeremiah Walters, 18 Dunamis Lui (one to be omitted).

Wed January 23, 2008
• Broncos v Titans switch
  

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