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33 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Team
A Jarryd Hayne-inspired Gold Coast have kept the Wests Tigers at the foot of the ladder, the Titans 26-14 victors on a cold Friday night at a sparsely-populated Campbelltown Stadium.
The 6,891 hardy souls who rocked up to the Western Sydney venue were treated to a tough game of footy, made harder for the home team who lost James Tedesco as a result of failing to back up from State of Origin.
Home fans were treated to some positives early - the first set saw the Tigers defence push Titans' second-rower Joe Greenwood into touch - then opened the scoring a few minutes later when Esan Marsters crossed out wide.
Konrad Hurrell helped the Titans wrestle some momentum back and quickly the visitors had pulled in front, William Zillman scoring the second of the evening.
A freakish late first-half try to David Nofoaluma off a clever Tui Lolohea pass brought the hosts back into the contest before halftime, but with Lolohea's second missed conversion, they stayed behind 10-8 going into the break.
After halftime, the Titans put the footy down, scoring three tries in ten minutes to put the result beyond reasonable doubt. Hurrell's second try at the 50th minute was then backed up by a scintillating Jarryd Hayne double either side of the hour mark.
At 26-8 the Titans looked to close the game out and despite a late surge from the Tigers which yielded a try to Sauaso Sue, were able to hold on for a 12-point win, much to the disappointment of the home support that had already started to shuffle out of the quarter-full venue.
The Wests Tigers are off to Newcastle for what many have tagged "SpoonBowl" with they and the Knights looking likely to fight it out for the wooden spoon. The Gold Coast head home to host the Dragons, and will be looking to build on this win to make a last-ditch surge towards finals football.
Wests Tigers 14 - Gold Coast Titans 26
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah / Dharawal
Crowd: 6891
Halftime Score: Wests Tigers 8 Gold Coast Titans 10
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Jarryd Hayne
2 points - Konrad Hurrell
1 points - Aaron Woods
WESTS TIGERS (14)
Tries: Esan Marsters, David Nofoaluma, Sauaso Sue
Field Goals:
Conversions: Tuimoala Lolohea (1/3)
Penalty Goals:
GOLD COAST TITANS (26)
Tries: Konrad Hurrell (2), William Zillman, Jarryd Hayne (2)
Field Goals:
Conversions: Ashley Taylor (3/5)
Penalty Goals: