The Dolphins have come from 14 points down to score 18 points in 26 minutes to come from behind to beat a spirited Gold Coast Titans performance.
The Titans defence kept the Dolphins scoreless in the first half and even denied them tries in the second half, but they eventually became their own worst enemies late in the game, turning over possession and ill-discipline in defence to let the Dolphins back into the game and eventually win.
The play early on was as dismal as the attendance (a paltry 16,073 at Suncorp Stadium) with both sides dropping the ball, giving away penalties and simply failing to build any pressure, or take advantage of the other sides mistakes. This bumbling period lasted 33 minutes, with the only score in that time coming from a Lachlan Ilias penalty goal in the 8th minute.
Jojo Fifita scored the first try of the game when a Dolphins dropped ball was picked up by Arama Hau, who then offloaded back inside to Fifita in support, who then raced 30 metres to score in the right corner. Ilias converted with a superb sideline kick.
At halftime, the Dolphins had an 8-0 lead and looked to be the better of the two sides in what was a very lacklustre first half.
4 minutes after play resumed, the Titans almost crossed again, but Hau was held up. Shortly after the Titans received a penalty and from the ensuing set, while camped on the Dolphins line, Sam Verrills at dummy half ran back and to the middle then turned the ball inside to Cooper Bai who ran towards the right, spotted a massive gap in the Dolphin's goal line defence, and wandered through it to score a ridiculously soft and easy try. Ilias converted to give the Titans a 14-0 lead.
The Dolphins fightback began in the 52nd minute when a the drop-out by the Titans got batted down and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki caught it before racing 15 metres to score. Jamayne Isaako converted.
Isaako looked certain to score 7 minutes later, but brilliant cover defence from Keano Kini knocked the ball out of his hands just a metre shy of the line.
The Dolphins added to their tally in the 68th minute after a brilliant 70 metre run by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. On the next play the Dolphins shifted the ball hard to the left and Jake Averillo scored in the corner. Isaako nailed the conversion and the deficit was reduced to just 2 points.
Less than five minutes later, Isaiya Katoa placed a perfectly weighted and placed shallow bomb which Tabuai-Fidow raced through and caught cleanly before falling across the line to score a brilliant try, to give the Dolphins the lead for the first time. Isaako converted.
The Titans hung on grimly and tried as they might to get more points but ultimately, neither side managed to trouble each other or the scoreboard and at full time the Dolphins scored an unimpressive 18-14 victory.