Titans hold off fast-finishing Tigers at Leichhardt

The Gold Coast Titans have broken a three-match losing streak to post a 27-20 win over the Wests Tigers at Leichardt Oval in front of a disappointing crowd of 7,103 fans.

With both sides coming into the Round 13 fixture having lost their past three matches, a win was of upmost importance as they reached the halfway mark of the 2015 season.

The Tigers started promisingly posting the opening points courtesy of a penalty goal to Pat Richards in the 5th minute, before the Titans clicked into gear for the remainder of the half.

In the first of a number of poor defensive reads from the home side, Aidan Sezer burst through the Tigers goal line from close range to score.

Soon after, Kane Elgey finished off a superb try he instigated, after delivering a marvelous cut-out pass to Anthony Don who streaked down the touchline before linking up with the halfback in support.

The try proved costly for the Titans, as Elgey was assisted off the field with a suspected syndesmosis injury that will likely see him spend an extended period of time on the sidelines.

Just before the break, prolific try-scorer James Roberts broke off Delouise Hoeter to score his 11th try of 2015 to take the score out to 16-2 at the break.

After the resumption of play, the Titans sought to bore the Tigers out of the match with a penalty and field goal from Aidan Sezer to take the lead out to 19-2 with 25 minutes remaining.

However, it proved to be the spark the Tigers required with the home side posting three tries in the space of ten minutes to bring the Leichardt faithful to their feet.

Two tries to Chris Lawrence (59th and 65th) along with a James Tedesco four pointer (61st minute) paved the way for the home side to take the lead after struggling for much of the game.

The lead was short lived however, as Anthony Don produced a scintillating run to put the visitors back in front, despite concerns over the grounding.

With three minutes remaining, Sauaso Sue was placed on report for making contact with Aidan Sezer using the shoulder which forced the Titans five-eighth off the field.

Stepping up to take the lead outside a converted try, Daniel Mortimer added the penalty to see the Titans run out 27-20 victors.

The Tigers poor first half defence ultimately cost them victory, as the inexperience of their backline was exploited by the class of the Titans.

For the Tigers, Chris Lawrence made a wonderful transition into the second row, crossing for two tries, while debutants Nathan Milone and Manaia Cherington showed touches of class first up, despite both being denied tries by the men upstairs.

Aidan Sezer once again displayed a number of superb touches, while Anthony Don continued his development as the Titans number one winger.

Next week both sides will feature in the Origin affected round with the Tigers hosting the Rabbitohs on Friday night at ANZ Stadium, while the Titans will be out to make it two in a row against Canterbury at home on Sunday afternoon.

Match Details

Wests Tigers 20 Gold Coast Titans 27
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Crowd: 7103
Halftime Score: Wests Tigers 2 Gold Coast Titans 16

WESTS TIGERS (20)
Tries: Chris Lawrence (2), James Tedesco
Conversions: Pat Richards (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Pat Richards (1/1)

GOLD COAST TITANS (27)
Tries: Aidan Sezer, Kane Elgey, James Roberts, Anthony Don
Field Goals: Aidan Sezer (1/1)
Conversions: Aidan Sezer (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Aidan Sezer (1/1), Daniel Mortimer (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Aidan Sezer
2 points - Chris Lawrence
1 point - Ryan James

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 13 Friday Night Football - Live from Leichardt Oval where the Wests Tigers take on the Gold Coast Titans.

Both sides currently sit outside the coveted top eight on 10 competition points and will be out to put aside their inconsistent 2015 so far with a big performance on prime time.

The Tigers come into tonights fixture off the back of a bye following three consecutive losses.

The Tigers cause won't be helped by the absence of Robbie Farah, who is out following a shoulder injury sustained in the opening State of Origin fixture.

Coach Jason Taylor has made a number of changes to the side including shifting Chris Lawrence into the second row, in a move that will hopefully prove as successful as the transition made by Luke Lewis to the forwards several years ago.

Nathan Milone and Manaia Cherington will both make their first grade debuts tonight after playing in the Under 20s and NSW Cup in recent season.

The Gold Coast Titans will be looking to replicate their 22-6 winning performance at Leichardt Oval last year, and have been boosted by the return of David Mead.

Like the Tigers, the Titans are currently on a three match losing streak which will need to be rectified if they are any chance of making the top eight for the first time since 2010.

In other selection news, Curtis Sironen is a scratching with Kyle Lovett starting in the second row, with Brendan Santi coming rounding out the bench. Ben Ridge starts in place of Dave Taylor, while Agnatius Paasi comes onto the bench for Mark Ioane.

The last time these sides clashed was in the opening round fixture at CBUS Stadium, where an 80th minute field goal from Pat Richards broke the hearts of the determined Titans, as the Tigers prevailed 19-18.

Kick-off only moments away here at the Tigers spiritual home ground. Can they get up or will the Titans overcome the disappointment of missing out on Daly Cherry-Evans with a win.

Aaron Woods leads the Tigers onto Leichardt Oval. A tremendous achievement for the Tigers junior who made his debut in 2011.

Pat Richards kicks off and the game is underway.

1: Nathan Milone takes his first run in the NRL up to the 40 metre line.

2: Aidan Sezer kicks the ball dead in goal. 20 metre re-start, 7 tackles Tigers.

3: Penalty to the Tigers as a minor scuffle breaks out inside the Titans half.

4: Tigers attempt a quick bomb from the penalty re-start, but Ryan James dangerous contact on Mitchell Moses.

5: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL WESTS TIGERS
Penalty goal attempt by Pat Richards successful.
From close to the posts, Richards opens the scoring for the Wests Tigers.

7: Titans attempt a spread, but are taken just short of halfway.

8: Moses bombs, but David Mead cleans up.

9: Lachlan Burr draws a penalty after a second attempt from Sauaso Sue and Chris Lawrence.

9: Great tackle on Ben Ridge from Luke Brooks.

10: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Aidan Sezer. Kick to come.
The Titans #6 breaks the Tigers defence to step his way over the line for the first try of the night.

11: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
From adjacent to the posts, the try-scorer adds the extras.

12: Ben Ridge makes a break but offloads to Martin Taupau.

12: Penalty Tigers.

13: Mitchell Moses makes a great run from the quick tap, almost found the line.

13: Moses grubbers, but Josh Hoffman cleans up.

14: Titans get a relieving penalty inside their own 10.

15: Pat Richards is on the spot to take a Kane Elgey high ball.

16: Mitchell Moses long kick goes to far, gifting the Titans a 7-tackle set.

17: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kane Elgey. Kick to come.
A fantastic pass from Kane Elgey sent Anthony Don down the sideline who passed to his halfback in support to touch down.

18: Moses poor kick comes back to hurt the Tigers. Elgey showed phenomenal skills in that passage of play.

18: Elgey is down receiving treatment from the Titans trainer.

19: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
2/2 for Sezer. Things are looking good for the Titans at the moment.

20: 5 missed tackles so far for the Tigers, unless they tighten up the Titans will keep piling on the points.

21: A much-needed penalty to the Tigers will see the home side in a try-scoring position.

21: Keith Galloway takes his first hit-up of the night.

22: Ben Ridge cleans up Brooks kick.

23: Big news for the Titans: Kane Elgey off with a leg injury. Mortimer will shift to halfback, with Kierran Moseley at 9.

24: Things are getting worst for the Tigers, kicking out on the foul.

25: Ryan James loses the ball 10 metres out from the line.

26: Dave Taylor about to come on for the Titans.

26: Delouise Hoeter loses the ball in his half. Titans back on the attack.

27: Forward pass ruling goes against the Gold Coast. The Tigers will want to complete this set for their confidence.

28: Nice burst from Dene Halatau puts the Tigers on the attack.

28: Josh Hoffman is trapped in-goal. Line drop out.

29: Kane Elgey's early diagnosis: Syndisomis on the left ankle. Will not be back tonight - looking at a stint on the sidelines.

30: Manaia Cherington on for the Tigers at hooker.

30: Cherington is claiming a try with his first touch. Referee sends it upstairs for video confirmation.

30: On video review, it appears that Ben Ridge has held the Tigers rookie up, but the original ruling was try.

30: No Try. Held up.

30: Milone is taken only a few metres short of the try line.

31: A great inside pass has the Titans inside the Wests Tigers 20.

31: Dave Taylor opts to kick on the second tackle - it doesn't come off.

32: The Tigers have had 18 tackles inside the Titans 20 metres. The Titans have had 2 tackles and come up with 12 points.

33: The Titans forwards have lost their minds! Ryan James kicks on the last, but fortunately gets a repeat set.

34: Eddy Pettybourne loses the ball over the line, before the Tigers get a penalty.

35: Tigers knock on during an attacking raid. Things aren't coming off for the locals.

37: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by James Roberts. Kick to come.
He's over again! Roberts breaks away from Delouise Hoeter to score in the corner.

38: That's his 11th for the season. A prolific try scorer.

39: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer unsuccessful.
From the sideline, Sezer can't quite get the curve. No Goal.

40: Tedesco is taken as the Titans go into the break with a big lead. 16-2.

40: Both sides onto the field, can the Tigers fight back, or will the Titans keep the points flowing.

41: Hoeter is able to take Brooks bomb, but the Titans wrap him up for a changeover.

42: Kevin Naiqama can't latch onto a pass which is taken by David Mead.

43: Ryan James is collected by three Tigers defenders.

43: Galloway with a strong run close to the 30.

44: Brad Tighe draws a penalty. Sezer finds touch inside the Tigers half.

46: Luke Brooks gets out of the in-goal after a risky offload from Pat Richards.

47: Mortimer bombs, but after a few Titans offloads, the Tigers come up with the ball.

49: Penalty to the Gold Coast.

50: Another penalty to the Titans.

50: Aidan Sezer elects to extend the lead by 2.

51: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL GOLD COAST TITANS
Penalty goal attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
No mistakes from Sezer.

53: James Tedesco is taken out by David Mead. Tigers penalty.

54: Nathan Milone is claiming a try, but the referee is sending it upstairs as No Try, citing possible obstruction.

54: No Try. Penalty for an obstruction on Aidan Sezer.

54: Another penalty. That ties the leger at 7-apiece.

55: Ryan James is held up over the line.

56: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL GOLD COAST TITANS
Field goal attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
From in front, Sezer extends the lead.

56: Anthony Don attempts to draw a penalty from the re-start but gives away a line drop out.

57: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Chris Lawrence. Kick to come.
Chris Lawrence is over for the first time in almost a year.

58: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
Richards gets the Tigers a little close.

60: James Roberts is away who kicks in-field, but Kevin Naiqama is able to clean up.

61: Tedesco is over, but the referee wants to see whether he lost the ball.

61: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by James Tedesco. Kick to come.
In the blink of an eye, the Tigers are back. They haven't been close in this match, but now find themselves within a try.

61: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
Richards kicks it.

63: Halatau back on for the Tigers.

65: Brooks comes down with the ball as the home crowd begin to find their voice.

65: The Tigers are claiming another try to either Tedesco or Lawrence.

65: Tedesco appears to have knocked on.

65: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Chris Lawrence. Kick to come.
Despite evidence suggesting otherwise, Lawrence gets his second try.

66: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
Inside the space of 10 minutes, the Tigers have hit the front.

68: Brooks grubbers to Hoffman who is taken 10 metres out.

69: Tedesco is down. It appears to be a back injury, following a knee from Ryan James.

69: Brooks makes a great run before being taken by Anthony Don.

70: Titans find some space.

71: Anthony Don is claiming a try. The referee is looking at the grounding, but phenomenal footwork and speed from the winger sees him score.

71: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Anthony Don. Kick to come.
Titans back in front.

71: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Back out by 5-points.

74: Brooks bombs as Hoffman recovers from the chasing Wests defence.

75: Lost ball by the Tigers. Titans scrum feed.

76: Hoffman looks to get over but is cut down short of the line.

77: Big hit from Jesse Sue on Aidan Sezer

77: Play has been stopped as Sezer is down after contact made with Sue's shoulder.

77: Sezer being escorted off the field. Penalty to the Gold Coast.

77: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL GOLD COAST TITANS
Penalty goal attempt by Daniel Mortimer successful.
From in front, Mortimer should see the Titans get home.

79: Mortimer taken on the last. Tiger will get one more set, but 7-points should be a bridge too far.

79: Nathan Milone knocks on as the Titans win.

80: Mead takes the final run as the Tiger fightback falls short. Titans win 27-20.