Titans gallant but Roosters kick their way to victory

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Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast Titans

Despite a gallant effort from the Gold Coast Titans, the Sydney Roosters have taken victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground with an 18-12 win despite the two sides scoring just two tries each.

The Sydney Roosters knew they were in a contest early on against the Titans when the visitors stunned many by crossing the line first when Jamal Fogarty got through after some good play. The celebrations for the Titans were muted however with the bunker knocking it back due to Brian Kelly already being held when letting the offload go which started the play.

Kyle Flanagan opened the scoring of the match with a penalty goal after the Roosters were able to go up the other end of the field after the Titans were penalised for being offside.

The Titans were able to get the first try of the match soon after when Anthony Don was able to chase through a Dale Copley kick and despite Copley being tackled without the ball, the Titans were able to score and take the lead.

Things began to go South for the Titans as Brian Kelly was given ten minutes in the sin-bin for a professional foul on Joseph Manu before Kyle Flanagan levelled the scores with his second penalty goal of the match. The sin bin was soon compounded for the Titans when the Roosters put their first try on the board when Mitch Aubusson scored when the Roosters used their extra-man to score down the short side.

The Titans were able to pressure the Roosters who were able to stand up at everything that the 2019 wooden spooners were able to throw at them before a penalty goal on the stroke of half-time closed the gap for the Titans to a converted try.

Although the Roosters weren't at their best in the second half, the Gold Coast Titans were able to hang in with the home side for the majority of the second half and their defence was able to stand up to the tri-colours.

The Titans were again reduced to 12 men when Keegan Hipgrave was sin binned for a professional foul on Lindsay Collins. The 10-minute period of the sin bin saw the Roosters score just the penalty goal during that period.

For all the defensive strength the Titans had, they eventually succumbed to the pressure when Joseph Manu chased through and leapt to take a good kick from Luke Keary and used his still to push his way over the line to score.

The Titans then gave everyone a possibility of a grandstand finish late on when Phillip Sami was able to cross and Ash Taylor converted to close the gap to six. With one last chance thanks to a 7-tackle set, the Titans went on the attack but couldn't add another try.

Next weekend, the Sydney Roosters travel to Wollongong for a Thursday night clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons whilst the Gold Coast Titans play host to the North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.