Raiders with no answers to resolute Titans defence

The Gold Coast Titans have put in a gutsy defensive display to run out 24-12 winners in front of 9,636 fans at GIO Stadium on Sunday night.

In what was an extremely close arm wrestle for most of the match, the Raiders failed to make the most of numerous opportunities and had no answer to a Titans defence lead by Greg Bird and Nate Myles. The Titans, on the other hand, made the most of limited opportunities and a brilliant display from Albert Kelly to come away with the two points.

The first half was a low scoring affair with both teams playing field position and not giving much away to their opposition. The Titans were the first to find the line when Beau Falloon scooted out from dummy half and dived between a couple of lazy Raiders defenders to open the scoring. Greg Bird, who took over the kicking duties from the inured Aidan Sezer for the night, converted the try to give the Titans a 6-0 advantage 17 minutes into the match.

The Raiders hit back with a converted try of their own in the 25th minute when Jarrod Croker dived on a grubber kick after David Mead earlier gave away a cheap penalty to gift the Raiders good attacking field position.

The back end of the opening stanza was mostly spent in the Titans half as the Raiders went on attacking raid after attacking raid. The Titans defence did well to keep the Raiders at bay for a number of sets but the weight of possession was too much for the tiring Titans players. An overlap sent Anthony Milford over in the left hand corner in the 37th minute to give the Raiders a 12-6 half time lead.

The second half saw the Titans come out with a point to prove and when Paul Carter caught the Raiders markers napping to dive over from dummy half, it felt as though the momentum of the match had shifted. Bird converted the try and followed it up with a penalty goal just two minutes later to give the Titans a 14-12 lead in 46th minute.

With a lead to defend, Albert Kelly did an outstanding job controlling field position with a number of last tackle options finding the turf deep inside the Raiders own half. The Raiders had numerous opportunities to get over the line but they had no answers to a Titans defensive line that was determined on not giving up their lead.

The Raiders had the better of the field position late in the match, but when Albert Kelly threw a dummy and burst through the Raiders defence to score a converted try in the 78th minute you sensed the Raiders were beaten. The Titans put the result beyond doubt when Albert Kelly picked up a loose ball in his own half to run 60 metres and secure a 24-12 victory for the Titans.

The Raiders will be sweating on a foot injury to Edrick Lee who went off in the 32nd minute before a tough match against the Rabbitohs next Sunday. The Titans, on the other hand, will head back home confident that they can beat the Cowboys in an all Queensland affair next Monday night.

CANBERRA RAIDERS (12)
Tries: Jarrod Croker, Anthony Milford
Field Goals:
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (2/2)
Penalty Goals:

GOLD COAST TITANS (24)
Tries: Beau Falloon, Paul Carter, Albert Kelly (2)
Field Goals: Albert Kelly (0/1)
Conversions: Greg Bird (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Greg Bird (1/2)

LATE MAIL: Raiders - Positional change with Shannon Boyd starting in place of Dane Tilse who shifts to the bench.

LATE MAIL: Titans - Ashley Harrison replaces Aidan Sezer at 5/8 who has been ruled out. Luke Bailey comes into the starting 13 at lock. Ryan James fills the final bench spot

Welcome to GIO Stadium in Canberra for tonight's match between the Canberra Raiders and the Gold Coast Titans. Both sides have had inconsistent starts to their seasons and have plenty to prove tonight. The Raiders had a solid win over the Newcastle Knights last week and will be happy to be back at their home ground after being on the road for the first two rounds of the premiership season. The Titans have had a poor start to the season with pressure beginning to increase on coach John Cartwright. A win in Canberra would go some way to relieving the pressure on the Titans team.

The two teams are making their way out onto GIO Stadium. Not long until kick off.

1: We are UNDERWAY at GIO Stadium in Canberra. The Raiders will get first use of the ball.

1: Early PENALTY to the Raiders for a hand on the ball.

3: The Raiders threatened on their first set and get a repeat set of six by pinning the Titans in their in-goal.

4: The Raiders get close again but some scrappy attack lets the Titans off the hook.

5: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Greg Bird makes an unforced error.
Greg Bird knocks it on in his own half and the Raiders will be on the attack again.

6: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Joel Edwards makes an unforced error.
Edwards knocks it on in a good attacking position.

6: Finally some relief for the Titans as they receive a PENALTY to get them out of their own half.

7: Now it is the Titans who pin Edrick Lee in his own in-goal and they will get a repeat set.

8: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Albert Kelly makes an unforced error.
A poor pass to Kelly and he can't get a hold of it and knocks it on.

11: Harrison puts in a lovely kick which almost pins Milford in-goal but he does a fantastic job to get out into the field of play... just.

12: The kick from the Titans is too deep and it will be a 20 metre tap for the Raiders.

12: Both teams just feeling each other out a bit in the early stages. Not many risks being taken.

14: A PENALTY against the Raiders number 17, Shannon Boyd. Took far too long to get off the tackle.

15: Six again for the Titans only 10 metres out from the Raiders line.

16: VIDEO REFEREE - a possible try to the Titans.

16: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Beau Falloon. Kick to come.
Beau Falloon scoots out from dummy half and gets over the line.

17: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Greg Bird successful.
Bird adds the extras from close range.

17: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Luke Douglas makes an unforced error.
The Titans have knocked it on straight from the restart.

18: Dave Taylor comes out of the line too early and is PENALISED for being offside.

19: Titans are offside again. Raiders will have another set of six starting from 10 metres out.

19: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Jarrad Kennedy makes an unforced error.
Titans have done well to hold the Raiders out here.

21: Titans put a kick deep into the Raiders half and it rolls out only a metre from their own line.

23: Both teams playing field position in what has been a real arm wrestle so far.

23: PENALTY - Mead makes a late tackle over the top and is penalised.

24: VIDEO REFEREE - possible Raiders try.

24: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Jarrod Croker. Kick to come.
Jarrod Croker dives on a grubber into the in goal and the Raiders have their first points.

25: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Croker converts his own try.

27: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Jack Wighton makes an unforced error.
Wighton knocks it on only 30 metres out from his own line after a great defensive set from the Titans.

28: Another PENALTY for the Raiders to get them out of their own half.

29: Dane Tilse is forced to put in a kick on the last tackle for the Raiders. Guessing that wasn't the plan.

31: A good kick from Wighton deep into David Mead's corner. great end to the set.

32: Bad news for the Raiders. Looks like an INJURY to Edrick Lee as he limps off the field.

33: We are off to the VIDEO REFEREE again for another possible Raiders try.

33: NO TRY is the ruling but the Raiders get the PENALTY for Croker being taken out.

34: Croker jumps up for a cross field kick and taps it back but the Titans knock it on. Another set for the Raiders from close range.

36: 6 again for the Raiders!

36: And now it is a PENALTY against the Titans for offside. A LOT of pressure for the Titans to soak up.

37: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Anthony Milford. Kick to come.
Finally the pressure takes its toll and Milford takes advantage of an overlap to score in the left corner.

38: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Croker puts it through from out wide.

40: HALF TIME: In a very close contest, the Raiders have been able to get on top on the back of a large amount of possession and lead the Titans 12-6.

40: INJURY UPDATE: Edrick Lee went off in the first half with what looks to be a foot injury.

41: KICK OFF in the second half. Titans with the ball.

42: Very good kick from Kelly to end the Titans first set. Croker has to pick it up from his own in-goal.

42: PENALTY TITANS - an early opportunity for the Titans to go on the attack.

43: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Paul Carter. Kick to come.
Paul Carter catches the markers napping and dives over from dummy half.

44: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Greg Bird successful.
Bird converts from close range.

45: A Titans break from inside their own half ends with a PENALTY and they will take the two.

46: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL GOLD COAST TITANS
Penalty goal attempt by Greg Bird successful.
The Titans go two points clear.

48: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Matt McIlwrick makes an unforced error.
Knock on after trying to make an unlikely intercept.

49: PENALTY RAIDERS - Croker makes a brilliant catch to defuse a cross field kick but is not allowed to get up and play the ball.

51: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Anthony Milford makes an unforced error.
Milford rules to have knocked on a from a grubber kick close to his own line but the replay shows it came off his leg.

52: And now a PENALTY to the Titans to compound the bad decision.

53: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Nate Myles makes an unforced error.
Myles goes close to driving himself over the line but loses it in the tackle.

54: After soaking up some pressure the Raiders get a cheap offside PENALTY to get them out of their own half.

55: A poor kick from Campese to finish the set and the Titans get the ball back.

59: Both teams just trading sets at the moment and playing field position.

59: Hand in the play the ball and the Raiders get a PENALTY. Campese gains 40 METRES from his touchline kick!

60: Another Raiders PENALTY for an Albert Kelly high tackle.

61: The Titans hold out the Raiders. The Titans defence really has been outstanding tonight.

63: Titans throw the ball out wide but a pass doesn't find its mark and the Raiders pick it up 40 from their own line.

66: After getting a PENALTY in good position, the Raiders end the set with a poor kick and let the Titans off the hook.

68: PENALTY TITANS - Titans to start their set 20 metres out from the Raiders line.

69: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Ashley Harrison makes an unforced error.
Harrison tries to put in a grubber under pressure but misses the ball and knocks on.

70: Croker makes a mini break down field and gains a PENALTY for his team when he isn't allowed to get up and play the ball.

71: An ugly kick from the Raiders to finish the set but it does the job and they get a repeat set.

72: The Raiders go close but once again it is this brilliant Titans defence that holds them out.

74: PENALTY RAIDERS - another chance for the Raiders to crack this defence.

75: The Raiders waste another opportunity by throwing a pass over the sideline.

76: Minichiello loses the ball but it is ruled a strip. PENALTY to the Titans in a good attacking position but they choose to take the two.

77: UNSUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL GOLD COAST TITANS
Penalty goal attempt by Greg Bird unsuccessful.
Greg Bird pushes it across the face.

78: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Albert Kelly. Kick to come.
A show and go from Albert Kelly and he explodes through the Raiders defence to score what may be the match winner.

79: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Greg Bird unsuccessful.
Bird misses the conversion from the sideline. Not over yet for the Raiders.

79: The restart has gone out on the full and the Titans can run the clock down here.

80: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL GOLD COAST TITANS
Field goal attempt by Albert Kelly unsuccessful.
Albert Kelly hits the crossbar with his attempt.

80: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Albert Kelly. Kick to come.
Kelly picks up a loose pass in his own half and runs 60 metres to record a gutsy win for the Titans.

80: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Greg Bird successful.
Bird adds the two after the siren.

80: FULL TIME: Titans win 24-12 over the Raiders at GIO Stadium on the back of an outstanding defensive display.