Sezer sets up Titans victory over depleted Bulldogs

The Gold Coast Titans made it 2 wins on the trot, with a 28-14 victory over a Canterbury side missing their 5 Origin stars as well as inspirational captain James Graham on the Gold Coast this afternoon.

The win moves the Titans into eighth position on the ladder, while the Bulldogs have slipped to 11^th however will be relieved to have some quality troops returning post Origin.

Aidan Sezer was instrumental against his junior club, kicking a crucial 40/20 just seconds before halftime. Off the back of the play, a cross field kick from Daniel Mortimer saw Kevin Gordon leap over the top of Bulldogs winger Corey Thompson who let the ball bounce and into the outstretched arms of Gordon in a play that turned the momentum of the match.

The dry track on the Gold Coast led to both sides throwing the ball around, which saw some risky play and lead to six handling errors in the first half alone. Two players fighting out in the top tryscoring ranks for 2015 opened the scoring, first Bulldogs winger, Curtis Rona crashed over for the first of his two tries in just the 4^th minute and likewise James Roberts who wrestled his way over three minutes later to tie the scores at 4 all.

Sam Kasiano couldn't be stopped on the half hour mark, when he received a lovely offload from Tim Browne to score and put the Bulldogs in front 10-6. This lead was taken away due to the Sezer 40/20 and subsequent Kevin Gordon try which tied the scores at 10 all at the break.

The Titans suffered a blow after halftime when promising hooker, Kierran Moseley was taken from the field with a knee injury which left the Titans one short on the interchange bench.

David Mead, who was a late change to the fullback position, then ignited the Titans attack when he received a superb inside ball from Aidan Sezer. Mead then found Daniel Mortimer, who sent Brad Tighe over for a well worked try.

The Bulldogs then lifted in intensity from the kickoff when Sam Kasiano put a huge hit of Kevin Gordon which sparks a series of big shots from the enormous Bulldogs pack. James Roberts then took an intercept and threw an incredible pass on the run to centre Brad Tighe who looked certain to score one of the tries of the season, when Moses Mbye came from the clouds to knock Tighe into touch in an incredible cover tackle.

Bulldogs winger Corey Thompson's day then got a lot worse when he mistimed a catch on a cross field bomb and the ball bounced favourably for Josh Hoffman to score. Sezer added the extras to make it 22-10 with just over 20 minutes left.

The Bulldogs then began trying to fight their way back into the match with some risky ad-lib play and were rewarded when Frank Pritchard placed Curtis Rona over to score in the corner for his second try of the match. Pritchard was then taken from the field after being concussed in a heavy collision after passing. Mbye missed from the sideline and it was 22-14 with 10 minutes remaining.

Josh Reynolds then sliced open the Titans defence and was crunched in a sensational cover tackle from fullback David Mead which shut down the Bulldogs comeback.

The Titans then clinched victory when James Roberts raced away for his second try of the game after some great lead up play from the Titans halves.

Next week the Titans host the Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday evening, which will be followed at 7.30pm by the Bulldogs hosting Penrith at ANZ Stadium.

Match Details

Gold Coast Titans 28 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Crowd: 10645
Halftime Score: Gold Coast Titans 10 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 10

GOLD COAST TITANS (28)
Tries: James Roberts (2), Kevin Gordon, Brad Tighe, Josh Hoffman
Conversions: Aidan Sezer (4/5)

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (14)
Tries: Curtis Rona (2), Sam Kasiano
Conversions: Moses Mbye (1/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Aidan Sezer
2 points - David Mead
1 point - Ryan James

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Late Mail - A few changes for the Titans with Josh Hoffman moving to the halves alongside Aidan Sezer, with David Mead moving to fullback. Daniel Mortimer will start at hooker with Kierran Moseley back to the bench. Matt Robinson to start with Ben Ridge moving to the bench and Matt White drops out of the squad.
For Canterbury, Sam Kasiano moves to lock and Antonio Kaufusi starts in the front row which sees Lloyd Perrett back to the bench. Shaun Lane is a late inclusion and will make his debut from the bench.

*Kevin Gordon to start on the wing for the Titans.

Canterbury will start as favourites today, but the Titans have won their last 3 against the Dogs.

Canterbury have won 10 of their last 14 on the Gold Coast.

After 17 minutes of ads on Ch9, we are finally underway!

2: Sam Perrett tested with a bomb early and makes no mistake.

3: Penalty Bulldogs - Bulldogs throwing the ball around early. Penalty against Mortimer for an attempted strip.

4: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Curtis Rona. Kick to come.
Try time Bulldogs and its that man Curtis Rona who opens the scoring. Bulldogs 4-0 kick to come.

4: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Moses Mbye unsuccessful.
Awful kick by Mbye. It remains Bulldogs 4 Titans 0.

5: Kevin Gordon takes a deflected kick and takes off downfield. Pulled down 10m out.

7: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by James Roberts. Kick to come.
Titans hit back as James Roberts wrestles his way over the line. 4 all, kick to come.

8: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer unsuccessful.
Sezer misses the conversion. It remains 4 all at CBUS Stadium.

9: Great kick from Aidan Sezer puts the Dogs deep inside their own half.

11: Penalty Titans - Stanley holds onto Mead for too long. Titans take the tap on halfway.

13: Penalty Bulldogs gets them out of trouble deep in their own half. Plenty of ball movement from both teams.

14: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Kevin Gordon makes an unforced error.
Kick from Reynolds touches Kevin Gordon's leg and goes dead. Dropout Titans.

15: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Sam Perrett makes an unforced error.
Perrett drops the ball while on the attack. Let off for the Gold Coast.

17: Tim Lafai breaks the line but is pulled down by the skipper Ryan James.

19: Great tackle busting run by Sam Perrett sees Bulldogs in great field position. Mead cleans up the kick.

20: Penalty Titans - Obstruction by Reynolds running behind Pritchard. Chance for the home side.

21: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Ben Ridge makes an unforced error.
Ridge knocks on first tackle. Huge let off for the Bulldogs.

23: Penalty Titans - Huge bomb by Reynolds well taken by Kevin Gordon but he gets hammered by Stanley and its a little bit high says the referee.

25: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Eddy Pettybourne makes an unforced error.
Pettybourne gets crunched by Kasiano. Scrum Bulldogs.

26: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
James Roberts makes an unforced error.
Roberts bats down a pass from Mbye. Another scrum for Canterbury.

27: Penalty Bulldogs right in front. James offside. Dogs take the tap.

28: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Sam Kasiano. Kick to come.
Tim Browne returns the favour from last week. Putting big Sam Kasiano over for a try. Canterbury 8-4. .

28: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Moses Mbye successful.
Mbye makes no mistake. Canterbury lead 10-4.

31: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Timoteo Lafai makes an unforced error.
Canterbury on the attack and Lafai caught in two minds and dropping it cold. Big let off for the Titans.

32: Cross field bomb from Sezer sees Gordon jump high but can't control it. 20m tap to Canterbury.

33: Kick inside from Reynolds doesn't find his man Perrett. 20m tap Titans.

34: Penalty Titans - Dogs ruled to have hands on the ball.

35: Great hit from debutant Shane Lane on Burr. Titans put in a poor kick on the last, Bulldogs ball.

36: Penalty Titans - Dogs not getting back. Titans on the attack 20m out. Big chance before halftime.

36: Moseley throws a bad ball but comes off a Dogs hand, 6 more Titans.

37: Kierran Moseley is down injured and is being assisted from the field. Big loss for the Gold Coast.

38: Paasi throws a pass straight to Mbye and the Dogs are off the hook yet again. Neil Henry will be highly stressed.

39: 40/20 GOLD COAST TITANS
Aidan Sezer kicks a 40/20.
Huge play from Sezer big chance with 30 seconds left.

39: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kevin Gordon. Kick to come.
Corey Thompson makes a meal of a cross field kick and Gordon leaps over the top to score. Aidan Sezer with the pin point kick.

39: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer lands it from the sideline. 10 all at the break.

40: It is 10 all at halftime between the Titans and the Bulldogs on the Gold Coast. The first half half has seen plenty of ball movement and some exciting play however both sides have looked tired at times and made some very silly errors at crucial times which has not allowed either team any real momentum.

Canterbury looked in control early with tries to Curtis Rona and Sam Kasiano, however a crucial 40/20 from Aidan Sezer seconds before halftime has put the Titans right back in this match, as they were finally able to capitalise with a try to Kevin Gordon.

An exciting second half coming up, so stay tuned for a tight finish!

40: We are underway in the Second Half. 10 All at the break.

41: Beautiful take from Sam Perrett at the back. That kick had snow on it!

43: Penalty Bulldogs - Perrett taken out in the air by Titans chasers.

44: Titans allow a cross field kick to bounce and it fortunately bounces into touch. Titans scrum.

45: Penalty Titans - Chase Stanley again holding down the man for the second time this afternoon.

46: Great kick from Sezer, Perrett has to bat it into touch. Dropout Bulldogs.

47: Penalty Titans right in front. Tolman holding down. Titans tap.

48: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Lachlan Burr makes an unforced error.
Terrible play the ball from Burr lets Canterbury off the hook. Major coach killer!

49: Moseley has suspected knee ligament damage and won't be back.

50: Perrett throws a long pass to Lafai who makes good ground. Dogs on the attack.

51: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Sam Kasiano makes an unforced error.
Kasiano throws a pass straight to James Roberts. Huge chance blown by the Dogs.

52: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Brad Tighe. Kick to come.
Great play Titans. Sezer finds Mead on the inside who finds Mortimer who offloads to Tighe for a wonderful try. Titans lead 14-10, kick to come.

52: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Aidan Sezer puts the Titans ahead 16-10.

53: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Ben Ridge makes an unforced error.
Drops the ball on the third. Dogs get a chance.

54: David Mead puts his body on the line. Saves a certain try.

55: Huge hit by Kasiano on Gordon! Dogs lift in defence!

56: Roberts takes an intercept and takes off, throws a wonderful pass to Brad Tighe. Then Moses Mbye comes out of nowhere and puts him into touch! Unbelievable play from both sides!

57: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Sam Kasiano makes an unforced error.
Kasiano pushes his luck with a ridiculous pass after some suspect passes in the lead up. Titans scrum.

58: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Josh Hoffman. Kick to come.
Corey Thompson with another shocker and it comes down with Josh Hoffman. Titans extend their lead.

58: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer makes no mistake. Gold Coast lead 22-10.

60: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Sam Perrett makes an unforced error.
Perrett pushes his luck and is ruled to have thrown a forward pass to Lafai. Titans on the attack yet again.

64: Great kick again by Sezer, Rona forces the ball dead.

65: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Curtis Rona makes an unforced error.
Attempted intercept by Rona. More pressure on the Dogs.

66: No Try Titans - Video ref says double movement from Ryan James. Penalty Bulldogs.

67: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Josh Reynolds makes an unforced error.
Reynolds gets a great pass from Lichaa but pushes for an offload and knocks on.

69: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Brad Tighe makes an unforced error.
Tighe knocks on after a Reynolds chip and chase.

70: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Curtis Rona. Kick to come.
Curtis Rona dives over in the corner for his second try of the game. 22-14 kick to come from the sideline.

70: Frank Pritchard leaves the field with concussion setting up the try. Won't be back.

70: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Moses Mbye unsuccessful.
Mbye misses from the sideline. Crucial miss.

71: Mbye tries a chip and chase on the last. Mead cleans up

73: Reynolds slices them open but is taken in a beautiful tackle from Mead.

76: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by James Roberts. Kick to come.
Try to James Roberts and that will be the ball game! Titans 26-14 kick to come.

77: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer makes no mistake from in front. Gold Coast 28 Canterbury 14.

77: Penalty Bulldogs - Mortimer picks up a knock on in an offside position.

78: Rona goes for his hat trick but pushed into touch. Good defence.

80: Fulltime here on the Gold Coast and the home side has picked up the 2 points winning 28-14.