Tenacious Titans trounce Cowboys

The Gold Coast Titans have claimed their first home victory of the season after defeating the Cowboys 28-12 in front of 12,092 fans at Skilled Park.

Scott Prince, Greg Bird and Matt Srama were sensational as the Titans won their third consecutive match and sounded a warning out to the rest of the competition.

Despite making nearly 50 more tackles than their opposition in the first-half, the Titans kept the Cowboys' scoreless in the first 40.

The Titans' tryline was under fire from the get go after Jonothon Thurstan's kick off bounced dead.

However, seven repeat sets in the opening eight minute was not enough to get the Cowboys' on the scoreboard as the Titan's defence held strong.

The Cowboys were on the attack again only a set later but failed to get over the tryline despite three repeat sets.

The homeside were not so wasteful when they were finally given an attacking opportunity in the 18th minute. With Aiden Sezer setting Kevin Gordan up for the opening points of the match.

Despite continuing to dominate posession over the next passage of play, the Cowboys failed to capitalise on their opportunities as the Titans produced a mammoth defensive effort.

The Titans were rewarded for their hard work in defence in the 35th minute when Bird muscled his way over the try line. Prince added the extras to give his side a 12-point-lead a few metres before half-time.

It was the Titans dominating possession early in the second half and they finally came away with the goods in the 56th minute when Ashley Harrison dived on a Matt Srama grubber to score under the posts. Prince added the extras to extend the Titans' lead to 18.

A magnificent kick return from William Zillman saw the Titans right on the attack again a few minutes later and they wasted no time, with Beau Champion claiming a four-pointer in the 61st minute. Prince failed to convert from the sideline.

The Cowboys finally hit back in the 70th minute when Cory Paterson scored under the posts. Johnathan Thurstan added the extras.

Champion claimed his double in the 73rd minute before the Cowboys scored a consolation try on full-time through Jason Taumalolo. 

It was not all smiles for the Titans, with Luke Bailey taken to hospital during half-time. The Cowboys have injury problems of their own, with James Segeyaro assisted of the field in the 11th minute with and ankle injury. 

The Titans will head to Cronulla next weekend to take on the Sharks. Both sides will be without their Origin stars.

As for the Cowboys they will receive a week off to try and get their season back on track after back-to-back losses. 

Match Details
Gold Coast Titans 28 defeated North Queensland Cowboys 12
National Rugby League - Round 13 - Friday June 1, 2012 7:30pm
Venue: Skilled Park
Referee: Shayne Hayne and Alan Shortall
Video Referee: Paul Simpkins
Touch Judges: Dave Abood and Dave Munro
Crowd: 12,092
Halftime: Gold Coast Titans 12 North Queensland Cowboys 0

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Greg Bird (1 try)
2 Points - Scott Prince (4 Conversions)
1 Point -  Matt Srama

GOLD COAST TITANS (28)
Tries: Greg Bird, Beau Champion (2), Ashley Harrison, Kevin Gordon
Conversions: Scott Prince (4/5)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (12)
Tries: Cory Paterson, Jason Taumalolo
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good evening folks and welcome to Skilled Park where the Gold Coast Titans take on the North Queensland Cowboys.
The home side will be going into the game as per program.
For the visitors Rick Thorby is out and 18th man Corey Paterson joins the side.
In the Toyota Cup the North Queensland Cowboys took out the match by one-point, defeating the Gold Coast Titans 17-16
1 min: Jonothon Thurstan brings us under way on the Gold Coast and the Titans let it go dead. So the play will begin with a line drop out.
2 min: Thurstan forces a line drop out on the last and the Cowboys will get another shot at the try line.
4 min: David Mead bats a Thurstan chip kick dead and the Cowboys have forced a third line drop out.
5 min: Mead is trapped in goal and the Titans will take a fourth line drop out.
6 min: The tackle count is restarted after a Titan's player gets a hand to the ball.
6 min: The tackle count is restarted after a Titan's player gets a hand to the ball.
7 min: Brent Tate is tackled into touch on the third tackle and the Titans are off the hook.
9 min: The Cowboys will get a full set of six 30 out from the Titans' tryline.
10 min: Thurstan forces a line drop out and the Cowboys will get their 7th shot at the Titan's line in ten minutes.
11 min: Possible try to the Cowboys.
11 min: Ashley Graham loses the ball trying to ground after a great tackle by Greg Bird.
13 min: James Segeyaro is being assisted of the field, looks like he may have a serious ankle injury.
16 min: The Titans receive a penalty 40 out from the Cowboys' try line.
19 min: TRY
TRY! Aiden Sezer grubbers into the in-goal and Graham makes a mess of it and Kevin Gordan is there to claim a try. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince is successful
Gold Coast Titans 6-0
23 min: Cowboys receive a penalty 30 out from their own line.
27 min: The Titans will get a scrum 40 out from their own line after a knock on from Aaron Payne.
28 min: Mead is tackled to touch on the last after winning an aerial contest with Antonio Winterstein.
29 min: The Cowboys are on the attack 20 out after a break from Thurstan.
30 min: Thurstan grubbers on the last and Luke O'Dwyer dives on the loose ball a few metres out from his own line.
34 min: The Titans receive a penalty and will go on the attack 40 out from the Cowboys' line.
36 min: TRY
TRY! Prince throws the dummy before passing to Bird who forces his way over the try line. Prince adds the extra.s
Gold Coast Titans 12-0
37 min: The Cowboys will get a scrum 40 out from the Titans' line after O'Dwyer loses the ball.
38 min: Winterstein is tackled into touch on the third and Titans survive again.
40 min: Tate is tackled 20 out from the Titans' line as the half-time siren sounds.
40 min: Luke Bailey has been taken to hospital at half-time with two busted ribs.
41 min: The second half is under way.
47 min: The Titans will get a scrum 40 out from their own line.
48 min: Matt Srama is tackled only half a metre out from the line on the last.
50 min: Sezer forces a line drop out and the Titans will go on the attack again.
51 min: Kane Linnett is trapped with the ball in-goal after a Prince grubber on the fourth tackle.
53 min: Titans receive a tackle restart after the third tackle.
53 min: Jamal Idris loses the ball a metre out from the tryline.
55 min: The Titans get a tackle restart 40 out from their own line after Prince's kick is charged down.
55 min: Possible try to Ashley Harrison!
57 min: TRY
TRY! Matt Srama grubbers into the in-goal from 2 metres out and Harrison scores under the posts. Prince adds the extras.
Gold Coast Titans 18-0
60 min: The Titans are 30 out from the Cowboys' line after a great kick return from Zillman.
63 min: TRY
TRY! The Titans spread it out wide and Beau Champion scores in the right corner. Prince's misses the conversion from the right touchline.
Gold Coast Titans 22-0
63 min: The Cowboys have opted for a short kick off and Matty Bowen has the ball on halfway.
64 min: Linnett taps the ball forward to Winterstein and the Titans' are off the hook.
66 min: The Cowboys force a line drop out.
68 min: Ray Thompson knocks on ten metres out from the Titans' line and the Titans are off the hook.
69 min: The Cowboys are on the attack after a break by Matt Scott.
70 min: TRY
Cory Paterson scores under the posts. Thurston adds the extras from right in front.
Gold Coast Titans 22-6
71 min: The Titans will receive a scrum a few metres into the Cowboys' half after Thompson drops the ball.
72 min: Graham takes a Srama grubber in goal but he manages to get back into the field of play.
76 min: TRY
TRY! Champion claims his double after he slices straight through the Cowboys' defence. Prince's conversion attempt is successful.
Gold Coast Titans 28-6
80 min: TRY
TRY! Jason Taumalolo scores a consolation try on the back of a Cowboys counter attack. Thurstan's conversion attempt from the sideline is successful and that's the ball game. The Titans were sensational tonight, especially in defence, they are definitely the dark horse in a tight competition.
Gold Coast Titans 28-12