The Gold Coast Titans have broken their duck by downing the Parramatta Eels 18-16 in a nail-biting clash to kick-off Round 4 of the NRLW season from AAMI Park.
It was a must-win clash for both sides as they were trying to keep their NRLW finals chances alive.
Gold Coast had all of the early possession and they were rewarded after seven minutes. The clever second-phase play saw Steph Hancock crash over to score her eighth try in the NRLW's history. This made her the leading try scorer in the competition's history, an extraordinary achievement for the oldest player in the competition, once again showing age isn't a barrier.
The Titans had another try just six minutes later and once again it was their forwards that were leading the way. Brittany Breayley-Nati found Shannon Mato who wrestled the ball to the ground. Referee Karra-Lee Nolan pointed to the spot and despite the Titans being the worst attacking side in the NRLW this season, the Titans led by 12.
Parramatta worked their way back into the game and off the back of some poor discipline by their opposition, they were able to hit back. It took a good pass from Ash Quinlan who found Tiana Penitani who in turn found Zali Fay. Fay hit and spun her way out of the tackle of Evania Pelite and the Eels reduced the margin to eight.
After hanging on for dear life, the Eels let their grip slip just on half-time. The Eels were scrambling well in defence, it took good work from Georgia Hale who found Kimiora Breayley-Nati who found the short ball to Jessika Elliston and she crosses right on half-time. The conversion gave the home side a 14 point half-time lead.
Parramatta started the second half strongly and their efforts were rewarded when Simaima Taufa caught the Titans napping with a dummy and go. She took on Evania Pelite and beats the fullback and crashed over for a vital try to reduce the margin to eight.
With their season on the line, the Eels hung in there and were able to keep the Titans at bay. Elliston was denied a try when she dropped the ball over the line. That knock-on proved decisive as the Eels were able to march down the field. Rima Butler was able to charge over the top of Brittany Breayley-Nati and two other defenders to score a vital try, but the margin was at two points.
Parramatta was unable to cross for the final blow and remain winless in the 2022 NRLW season effectively ending their chances of making the finals this season. For the Titans, they're in a win-and-in situation against the Roosters next weekend in Gosford.