Titans pluck Roosters in the wet

The Gold Coast Titans have kept their slim finals hopes alive with a 22-18 victory over the Sydney Roosters today at Carrara.

In driving rain, which at times obscured the view of the game, it was Scott Prince who delivered the victory for the home team with some ingenious plays throughout the game.

They started the game on fire, scoring through winger Mat Peterson in the 2nd minute after Prince hoisted an enormous bomb. Sam Perrett and Amos Roberts had a mix-up at the back and the ball bounced nicely for the big winger.

The Titans then opened up an 8-point lead with a penalty goal in the 12th minute after Craig Wing gave away a penalty for a high shot and grapple.

Prince was at his cunning best ten minutes later as he grubbered down the blind side for Brett Delaney to score, catching the Roosters off guard and opening up a 12-nil lead.

Not to be outdone, Braith Anasta reversed the treatment, finding Perrett back on the inside to score with Prince ironically fumbling the ball. Anasta stepped up again just six minutes before halftime, going himself from 15 metres out to score.

At 12-10 things were looking much better for the Roosters and they began to get some momentum. But a shift in possession with only two minutes remaining saw the Titans camped down in the Roosters territory.

Again it was Prince who stood up, scoring out wide just before the break to put a dagger in the hearts of Roosters fans. The home team went into the break leading 16-10 and looking comfortable.

A try 12 minutes after the break to Anthony Laffranchi opened up a 12-point lead for the Titans and from there they protected it well.

The Roosters applied some pressure by scoring again through Perrett in the 67th minute but with Fitzgibbon unable to convert the Titans held on with an 8-point margin.

Perrett rounded out his hat-trick with ten seconds remaining but it was all too late. Interestingly Fitzgibbon declined his final shot at goal and with that went their hopes of a finals berth.

The win pushes the Gold Coast club one point ahead of their rivals today on the competition ladder. Next week the Roosters host the Panthers who are looking to avoid the spoon. The Titans play the Sharks in Cronulla and again need to win to be any hope of making the semi