Isaako's late game heroics end Phins' 4 game losing streak

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Gold Coast Titans v Dolphins

A Jamayne Isaako penalty goal in the first period of golden point has snapped a 4 game losing streak for the Dolphins by 23-21 over a brave Titans

It was a match which was vital to both sides premiership aspirations in 2023. Both sides took a while to warm into the contest playing possession football. This was despite the fleeting chances that both sides failed to take advantage of in the opening 10 minutes of the game.

It took 17 minutes for the Dolphins to show sustained attacking dominance after a penalty they received thanks to Kieran Foran obstructing Kenny Bromwich. Off the back of the penalty, the Dolphins posted the first try of the afternoon. A clever pass from Sean O'Sullivan found Connelly Lemuelu saw the back turned forward to cross. Lemuelu added an extra 5k to the Try July fund with an attempt at the worm. Jamayne Isaako converted for a 6-0 lead.

The Titans thought they hit back 5 minutes later and it was their debutant that played a starring role. A short side raid saw Jacob Alick given the football, he put it on the toe and the kick was mishandled by Kodi Nikorima and it saw Alofiana Khan-Pereira cross to get the Titans back in the contest. However, the Bunker intervened when they ruled AKP pushed Isaako out of the contest denying the try. Jayden Campbell saved the day for the Titans several times in the one set the Dolphins had camped on the Titans line.

Five minutes after being denied. AKP turned provider. After being on the end of a brilliant pass from Foran, he ran 40 metres up field and chipped over the top. Despite being shouldered off the ball, Foran raced through to score for the home side. Tanah Boyd converted from a tight angle to level the scores at 6-6.

Off the back of some Dolphins mistakes, the Titans crossed for another quick try to take the lead. From the scrum win, the Titans shifted it to the right hand side where Boyd and Foran combined to get a magical pass to Phillip Sami to cross in the right corner. Boyd converted from touch and after trailing early, the Titans led 12-6. Despite some frantic footy for the rest of the first half, only a penalty goal was added by Boyd, this saw the scoreboard remain in favour of the Titans by 14-6 at the change of ends.

Anthony Milford's injection created all sorts of problems for the Titans, splitting the defence and setting the Dolphins up for their second try. Jarrod Wallace crashed over after a simple short ball from Isaiya Katoa. Wallace celebrated by opening up a meat pie contributing to the Try July cause. Isaako's conversion reduced the margin down to two points.

The Dolphins continued to rally and despite some frantic end to end footy. They took the lead just shy of the hour mark. The visitors shifted the ball to the right hand side which sees O'Sullivan and Milford combine to find Kenny Bromwich to crash over in the right corner to score his first try as a Dolphin. Isaako missed to keep the game anxious for both sides with a two point margin now in favour of the visitors.

Off the next set, the kick by Milford was spilled by AKP and a flying Isaako crossed to extend the margin. Isaako decided to channel his inner Adam Scott on the fairway to cash in another 5k for the Try July fund. Although, his conversion was caught in the water as it sailed wide of the flag to extend the lead out to 6.

Off the back of some possession and the repeat set. The Titans connected down the left hand side when Foran linked up with Brian Kelly. Kelly had too much pace for Te Whare and Isaako to get to the line. Boyd converted from the sideline to lock the scores back up at 20-20. Both sides had ample opportunity to collect a field goal to break the deadlock and let chances slip.

It took a Harrison Graham linebreak to split the defence, from the ensuing tackle, Isaako nailed a field goal to give the Dolphins a one point advantage. After the short kick-off attempt failed, O'Sullivan showcased his strength to reach out to score, but the Bunker ruled he knocked on. That knock on proved costly, as Boyd's field goal went over despite the best efforts of the Dolphins as we entered golden point.

Both sides played possession footy but it took a Titans error to get the Dolphins in range. A correct but brave call from the referee that Erin Clark was offside. Isaako nailed the penalty goal for a 23-21 verdict.