Round 24 on the Gold Coast, where defence goes to die

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Gold Coast Titans v Newcastle Knights

The Gold Coast Titans have avoided the wooden spoon with a high-scoring 36-26 victory over the Newcastle Knights at CBUS Super Stadium.

Playing the majority of the second half a man down after Brian Kelly was dismissed for a dangerous tackle, the Titans managed to hold on for only their fifth win of the season.

In a match which saw 12 tries scored collectively, the Knights took little more than 90 seconds to begin the procession of points with Edrick Lee (1st minute), contesting a well-placed cross-field kick from Anthony Milford, outleaping Corey Thompson in a mismatch of size out wide. 

Hitting back through Greg Marzhew (6th minute) after AJ Brimson exposed the visitors down a blind side, the Titans hit the front with David Fifita (11th minute) powering over for his seventh try of the season.

The Knights managed to level the scores at 10-all midway through the half after the bunker deemed Daniel Saifiti (25th minute) managed to get the ball to the ground, but a late flurry of tries turned the game in favour of the home side.

Making metres at will through the middle of the field, the Titans posted three tries in as many sets - Beau Fermor (30th minute), Marzhew (33rd minute) and Tanah Boyd (35th minute) - to take a 14-point lead to the change of ends.

Taking advantage of a break from Jayden Brailey through the middle of the field, a right-side shift allowed Dominic Young (44th minute) to cross in the corner.

Going from hero to villain in a matter of minutes, Kelly embarrassed Dane Gagai to set up a try for Brimson (48th minute) only to be sent off for a dangerous tackle which saw Young driven into the ground.

Withstanding goal line pressure, which saw David Klemmer denied a rare four-pointer by the bunker, the Titans responded with Brimson (57th minute) grubbering close to the goal line to secure the result.

Refusing to go away, despite the bunker denying Jacob Saifiti what would have been one of the tries of the season, Gagai (64th minute) produced a rare display of his class with a dashing run.

Narrowing the margin to ten-points with Gagai (72nd minute) collecting his second, the Titans managed to hold on to the delight of 11,816 supporters on home soil.

Next week, the Titans will travel across the Tasman to face the Warriors on Saturday afternoon, while the Knights will return home for a Sunday afternoon Old Boys Day against the Sharks.