Titans overpower Sharks at Skilled Park

The Gold Coast Titans have defeated the Cronulla Sharks 18-4 in a tough contest at Skilled Park this evening.

In front of a crowd of over 19,000, the Titans were made to work hard by the Sharks for their two points but in the end the home side controlled the ball better than the Sharks and showed more creativity in attack.

Cronulla defended stoutly at times throughout the game but looked lost in attack with Brett Kimmorley having a poor game and apart from Kimmorley there was nothing much happening for the Sharks.

For the Titans, Matt Rogers had an excellent game and he was well supported by Luke Bailey, Scot Prince and Preston Campbell.

This was the first loss for the Sharks in 2008 while the Titans remain unbeaten at home and have bounced back from their loss last week against the Dragons.

Match Details Round 3 - March 29th, 2008 9:30pm Venue: Skilled Park Referee: Jason Robinson Crowd: 19,050

Gold Coast Titans 18 Tries: Mat Rogers, Brad Meyers, Jordan Atkins Goals: Ben Jeffrey (0/1), Scott Prince (3/3) Cronulla Sharks 4 Tries: David Simmons Goals: Luke Covell (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Luke Bailey (Titans) 2 Points: Mat Rogers (Titans) 1 Point: Scott Prince (Titans)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary 1 min: We are underway at Skilled Park.

3 min: Possible try to the Titans...

3 min: No try to the Titans. Offisde ruled.

6 min: Titans on the attack, just metres out from the Sharks line but the Sharks clean up a Titans grubber and begin to work the ball up field.

9 min: The Titans have had all the field position and are still yet to score with the Shrks defence watertight off their own line.

14 min: Titans still can't cross the Sharks line and the Sharks defence is reminiscent of the Roosters in 2002. Outstanding defence from the Sharks!

19 min: Cronulla yet to do much with the ball and they look a little fatigued after getting through a mountain of defence.

21 min: The Titans had the Sharks on the rak but throw the ball in touch and squander another scoring opportunity.

23 min: TRY Cronulla Sharks The Sharks have scored through David Simmons after withstanding a mountain of pressure from the Titans. Great effort from the Sharks. Conversion attempt by Luke Covell unsuccessful. Cronulla Sharks 4-0

29 min: Cronulla squander a scoring chance through a poor kick from Brett Kimmorley. Still, the Sharks are slowly getting on top.

33 min: Preston Campbell flies up above the pack and takes a geat bomb.

35 min: Isaac De Gois puts Luke Bailey on his bum with a great front on tackle.

38 min: A very tough contest unfolding with neither team taking the ascendancy leading into half time but the Sharks are working their way up field for a late assualt on the Titans line.

40 min: PENALTY GOAL Cronulla Sharks The Sharks miss a simple conversion from in front on the stroke of half time and fail to extend their lead. That could be a costly miss. Cronulla Sharks 4-0

41 min: We are underway in the second half!

45 min: The Titans almost score on the last tackle but come up short and the Sharks are off the hook.

47 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans The Titans are on the board through Mat Rogers. He kicked ahead and regained after the ball bounced off Brett Kearney for Rogers to score. Conversion attempt by Ben Jeffrey unsuccessful. 4 all

54 min: The Sharks are holding on...just. The Titans are throwing everything they have at the Sharks but the Sharks refuse to yield.

55 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans The Titans have scored through a bustling run from Brad Meyers. The Sharks couldn't hold on any onger and the Titans have hit the lead for the first time in the match. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful. Gold Coast Titans 10-4

63 min: The Sharks cough up possession on the Titans line and look very flat in attack with Brett Kimmorley showing little creativity with the ball in hand.

66 min: As the game inches towards its climax, neither team is taking the game by the scruff of the neck so this one may just peter out.

68 min: PENALTY GOAL Gold Coast Titans The Titans have moved eight points clear and will be hard to run down now considering the pedestrian attack of the Sharks. Gold Coast Titans 12-4

73 min: The Sharks look lost with the ball in hand and the Titans are about ti finish them off.

74 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans The Titans have scored through Jordan Atkins and that will be enough to secure the two points and continue the Titans impressive start to the season. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful. Gold Coast Titans 18-4