Titans fight off Panthers

The Gold Coast Titans have overcome a valiant Penrith Panthers side tonight at Skilled Park, running in six tries to four to win 38-24.

The return of champion halfback, Scott Prince, proved instrumental for the Titans as he orchestrated a fantastic attacking performance from the Gold Coast side.

In what was a scrappy affair, the Panthers opened the scoring in the first half through Lachlan Coote, before the Titans clawed their way back, leaving the scores locked at 12-12 at halftime.

The Titans preceded to runaway with the game in the second half after a number of mistakes from the Panthers, scoring four more tries.

The Panthers didn't give up though, with Lachlan Coote scoring two late tries to give the team a glimmer of hope, before they ran out of time.

Match Details
Gold Coast Titans 38 defeated Penrith Panthers 24
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 8 - Saturday May 1, 2010 5:30pm
Venue: Skilled Park
Referee: Jared Maxwell and Bernard Sutton
Video Referee: Tim Mander
Touch Judges: Paul Holland and Grant Atkins
Crowd: 15,430
Halftime: Gold Coast Titans 12 Penrith Panthers 12

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Scott Prince (1 Try, 6 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal)
2 Points - Nathan Friend
1 Point - Lachlan Coote (3 Tries)

GOLD COAST TITANS (38)
Tries: Greg Bird, Ashley Harrison, Clinton Toopi, Luke Bailey, Scott Prince, Anthony Laffranchi
Conversions: Scott Prince (6/6)
Penalty Goals: Scott Prince (1/1)

PENRITH PANTHERS (24)
Tries: Travis Burns, Lachlan Coote (3)
Conversions: Michael Gordon (4/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome from Skilled Park for tonight's match between the Titans and Panthers. In a late change for the Titans, Scott Prince returns to the side, starting at halfback with Jordan Atkins dropping out of the team.Preston Campbell shifts to fullback, with William Zillman dropping back to the bench. Michael Henderson will also be starting, with Brad Meyers taking his spot on the bench.
Late drama for the Panthers with Frank Pritchard injured during the warm up. His replacement is Nathan Smith, with Wade Graham coming onto the bench.
1 min: We're underway, with the Panthers kicking off.
2 min: Knock on from the Titans in their second set gives the Panthers the scrum 20m out from the line.
6 min: Potential try here for Lachlan Coote after Preston Campbell struggles to deal with a bomb from Luke Walsh.
6 min: TRY
Luke Walsh puts up a swirling bomb, with Lachlan Coote out jumping Preston Campbell to claim the ball and score under the posts.
Penrith Panthers 4-0
9 min: A penalty for the Titans relieves some pressure, and they are on the attack 50m out.
9 min: Another penalty for the Titans. Titans kick for touch and take the tap 20m out from the Panthers' line.
11 min: Titans go close through Minichello who knocks on a metre out from the line.
13 min: Penalty to the Panthers, who are now on the attack 20m out from the Titans' line.
14 min: Tim Grant knocks on early in the set for the Panthers, Titans have the scrum feed.
20 min: Possible try to Scott Prince after a well placed bomb was dropped by Brad Tighe.
20 min: TRY
Scott Prince puts up a huge bomb down the Titans' right hand side which Brad Tighe subsequently drops. Prince regains the ball and beats off a challenge from Lachlan Coote to score.
Penrith Panthers 12-0
23 min: After dropping the previous two bombs, Preston Campbell takes a brilliant catch to thwart another Panthers aerial raid.
24 min: TRY
Some great work from Preston Campbell sends Anthony Laffranchi through a gap to score alongside the posts. Prince converts to give the Titans the lead.
Penrith Panthers 12-6
28 min: Panthers have a penalty 10m out from the Titans' line after a high tackle on Trent Waterhouse.
29 min: TRY
Travis Burns scores after a mazy run and excellent offload from Luke Lewis.
Penrith Panthers 18-6
35 min: The game is being played at a frantic pace at the moment, with both teams doing well in defence.
37 min: Penalty to the Titans has them on the attack 25m out from the Panthers' line.
37 min: Just when things were looking promising for the Titans, Meyers knocks on after an offload from Greg Bird.
40 min: It's halftime here at Skilled Park, the scoreline is 12-12.
41 min: The second half is underway, with the Titans kicking off.
44 min: William Zillman does very well to take a massive bomb from Luke Walsh, before he is tackled in the air, handing a penalty to the Titans.
47 min: Could be a try here for the Titans, after some miraculous play from Scott Prince.
47 min: TRY
Preston Campbell grubbers through for Scott Prince who brilliantly bats the ball back into play, before Ashley Harrison grounds it under the posts.
Gold Coast Titans 18-12
50 min: A strong set of six from the Titans following their try, backed up with a lovely kick from Preston Campbell has the Panthers on the backfoot.
51 min: Some excellent play from the Titans as Scott Prince grubbers through for a flying Kevin Gordon, only for Lachlan Coote to beat him to the ball and knock it dead in goal.
53 min: Penalty for the Titans 30m out from the Panthers line after a flop from Masada Iosefa. Titans are taking the kick at goal.
54 min: PENALTY GOAL
Scott Prince successfully converts the penalty, giving the Titans an eight point buffer.
Gold Coast Titans 20-12
58 min: Both teams seem to be going through the motions at the moment. The Panthers will need to chance their arm a bit if they want to get back into this.
60 min: Mistake from the Panthers as Nathan Smith knocks on 25m out from their own line. A great opportunity here for the Titans.
62 min: The Titans bomb what would certainly have been a try after Kevin Gordon knocks on.
62 min: Yet another mistake from the Panthers, with Petero Civoniceva this time to blame for knocking on.
65 min: TRY Workington Town (NL2)
A dubious short ball from William Zillman sends Clinton Toopi through a gap, before he races away from the Panthers' defence to score untouched under the posts.
Gold Coast Titans 26-12
68 min: TRY
Nathan Friend breaks through the Panthers line on halfway after some great running from dummy half, before passing to Greg Bird who beats Panthers fullback, Lachlan Coote, to score under the posts.
Gold Coast Titans 30-12
71 min: Sam Tagataese knocks on 5m out from the Titans line.
72 min: TRY
An inside ball from Luke Lewis, sends Lachlan Coote over for his second try of the night. The Panthers still believe they can comeback.
Gold Coast Titans 32-18
75 min: Smart play from Scott Prince who finds touch 10m out from the Panthers line, eating up some more time.
77 min: Potential try here for Lachlan Coote after some scrappy play in the in goal.
77 min: TRY
Lachlan Coote gets his hat-trick after the Titans drop a well placed Luke Walsh kick in goal.
Gold Coast Titans 32-24
80 min: Possible try for Luke Bailey right on the buzzer after a grubber through from Nathan Friend.
80 min: TRY
Luke Bailey scores his first try for the year after a well weighted grubber from Nathan Friend.
Gold Coast Titans 38-24
80 min: It's full time here at Skilled Park, with the Titans winning 38-24.