Five in a row for the Titans

Gold Coast Titans 36 vs New Zealand Warriors 24

Match Summary

Gold Coast Titans have this afternoon created history for the club, defeating the Vodafone Warriors at Skilled Park by 36-24, and in doing so now have won 5 consecutive games, never before achieved by the Titans.

A hot afternoon with Skilled Park bathed in sunshine, the Titans showed why they are sitting on top of the NRL table as their defence nullified many of the attacking sets the Warriors threw at them.

Within 15 minutes of the match the home side were well in control, 2 tries up and keeping the fans very happy.

The Warriors tried to fight their way back into the match however the Titans hold on the match never looked threatened as they cruised to a halftime lead of 24-12.

An early try to the Titans in the 2nd half basically sealed the match. The Warriors performing better after the break but at times totally lost on attack.

Manu Vatuvei and Brent Tate definitely their best players. Vatuvei however may be in doubt for the ANZAC Test after leaving the field midway thru the 2nd half with what looks to be a serious knee injury.

Outstanding performances by Scotty Prince and Preston Campbell certainly helped the home side to a well deserved victory, with the forwards helping their cause in the heat.

The Warriors obviously struggling to win away this year, and will need to address that issue as they head home to play the Raiders next Sunday.

Match details Gold Coast Titans 36 def New Zealand Warriors 24 Round 7 - April 27th, 2008 2:00pm Venue: Skilled Park Referee: Steve Lyons Half time: Titans 24-12 Crowd: 24,310

Gold Coast Titans 36 Tries: Ashley Harrison, Ben Jeffrey, Brad Meyers, Preston Campbell, Anthony Laffranchi, Brenton Bowen Goals: Scott Prince (6/6) New Zealand Warriors 24 Tries: Michael Luck, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt (2) Goals: Michael Witt (4/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Scott Prince (Titans) 2 Points: Preston Campbell (Titans) 1 Point: Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)

Leagueunlimited.com Live Commentary

Tuimavavae starting for the Warriors with Wiki coming on from the bench is a late change for the Warriors. All set to go on a hot afternoon at Skilled Park

1 min: Witt kicks off for the Warriors

3 min: Solid start by the two teams. A great crowd in for the game.

7 min: Back to back sets by the Warriors close to their line, the defence by the Titans as strong as ever showing why their defensive record this year is so strong in 2008.

9 min: Line dropout Titans

10 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans Fifth tackle option with the master Scott Prince, chipping a nice ball thru for 3 Titans players to grab with Harrison getting the spoils. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful. Gold Coast Titans 6-0

15 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans A mistake by the Warriors 15 metres out from the Titans line allows the home side great attacking options. Quick hands finished off by a seemingly forward pass to Jeffrey, sees the home side further in the lead. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful. Gold Coast Titans 12-0

21 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors A penalty with Prince slowing down the roll on by the Warriors allows the visitors an attacking chance close to the line. Fein does a little chip thru for Luck to pounce on. Conversion attempt by Michael Witt successful. Gold Coast Titans 12-6

27 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans A penalty given away by Wiki fresh on the field, once again allows the Titans great attacking options. Campbell close to their line, runs rings around Wiki and offloads to Meyers who scores. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful. Gold Coast Titans 18-6

31 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans A 50 metre run by Campbell with half the Warriors team in his wake, allows the little fulla to score under the posts, his 1st try in over a year. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful. Gold Coast Titans 24-6

35 min: Goal line dropout Warriors. Great defence by the Titans in the first set.

37 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors Once again the video ref is used in what seems an obvious try. A terrific pass by Witt with cutting out 2 players, allows Manu across the line out wide. Witt kicks straight down the middle. Conversion attempt by Michael Witt successful. Gold Coast Titans 24-12

39 min: Another break by Campbell mowed down by Crockett and Hohaia. Quick play by Friend and the touch judge wasn't interested in catching it.

HALFTIME: An exciting finish to the half by the Warriors, but not enough to knock back a well deserved lead at the break by the Titans, 24-12.

41 min: Delaney gets the 2nd half underway.

44 min: Penalty Titans, after Tate was accidentally offside. The Titans hot on attack 20 metres out from their line.

46 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans A short ball by Friend and Laffranchi goes thru almost unopposed under the posts. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful. Gold Coast Titans 30-12

50 min: The Titans making easy yards in their sets, the Warriors look to be tiring in the heat.

55 min: Penalty Titans after Lauaki Took offence to a nudge in the back by Prince.

56 min: NO TRY TITANS: Sideshow Bob out over the sideline and nailed by Vatuvei in the process. Video ref determines obstruction by the Titans in the earlier play.

59 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors Finally the Warriors forwards take the ball up. The tackle count restarts however Witt weaves his way thru the opposition 15 metres out to score his 1st try in 2008. Conversion attempt by Michael Witt successful. Gold Coast Titans 30-18

62 min: Vatuvei down injured, looks to be his knee. He leaves the field

64 min: Crowd figure 24,310

68 min: Try saving tackle on Jeffery by Hohaia after an intercept. Ensuing play sees Peterson miss out on another try as the pass was deemed forward.

71 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans Another mistake by the Warriors, the Titans spread it wide and Bowen scores on debut after just getting on the field. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful. Gold Coast Titans 36-18

75 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors A chip by Witt who regathers and scores unopposed. Conversion attempt by Michael Witt successful. Gold Coast Titans 36-24

79 min: Titans will finish the game on attack 20 metres out following a Warriors mistake.

80 min: NO TRY TITANS: Cooper misses out on his 1st try in 2008 after the video ref rules no try.

80 min: A field goal attempt by Prince just before the final hooter misses.

FULLTIME: Signs of encouragement for the Warriors in the 2nd half, but also signs of indecisions. Titans make it 5 in a row for the 1st time ever.