Titans too strong for error-riddled Roosters

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Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast Titans

A dominant final quarter has seen the Gold Coast Titans record their first win over the Sydney Roosters since 2016 with a 30-12 victory at Allianz Stadium.

Breaking a run of 11 consecutive losses against the Roosters to the delight of a small contingent of supporters among the 14,101 crowd, the Titans stormed home with four tries in the final 20 minutes to record their first win in Sydney under coach Des Hasler.

Following an ill-disciplined opening which saw both teams concede errors and penalties, a shift to the Roosters' left edge saw Mark Nawaqanitawase (9th minute) run onto a pass from Sandon Smith to give the home side first points.

The Roosters looked to extend their lead with Victor Radley charging over minutes later, only for Smith's offload to be ruled forward in the first of many missed opportunities throughout the match.

A short pass from dummy half by Sam Verrills - a premiership winner with the Roosters - allowed AJ Brimson (17th minute) to get the Titans on the board midway through the first half.

The Roosters were denied the opportunity to add to their tally after the halftime siren with the bunker upholding the on-field decision that Smith hadn't been taken off the ball illegally, leaving the scores locked at 6-all after 40 minutes.

A penalty goal to Jayden Campbell shortly after the resumption saw the Titans hit the front, however the visitor's joy was short-lived with an error from the ensuing kick-off giving the Roosters the field position for Dominic Young (48th minute) to muscle his way over out wide.

The Roosters' decision to decline a shot a penalty goal proved costly as Campbell (62nd minute) swooped on an intercept to race 90 metres for a try that levelled the scores at 12-all.

Reaping the rewards for shifting the ball wide rather than setting up for a field goal with Phillip Sami (68th minute) scoring his first of the season, a powerhouse charge from captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (73rd minute) ensured the Titans walked away from their first appearance at the revamped Allianz Stadium with two premiership points.

A final try to Brimson (79th minute) moments before fulltime, swooping on a Roosters' error, rubbed salt into the wounds as the Titans ran out 30-12 victors.

Next week, the Roosters will face the Rabbitohs on Friday night, while the Titans will return home on Saturday evening against the Dolphins.

Sydney Roosters 12 - Gold Coast Titans 30

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal
Crowd: 14101
Halftime Score: Sydney Roosters 6 Gold Coast Titans 6

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
2 points - Jayden Campbell
1 points - Sam Verrills

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (12)
Tries: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Dominic Young
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Sandon Smith (2/2)
Penalty Goals:

GOLD COAST TITANS (30)
Tries: AJ Brimson (2), Jayden Campbell, Phillip Sami, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Jayden Campbell (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Jayden Campbell (1/1)


See how it happened in our Match Centre