The Gold Coast Titans have climbed back into the top 8, claiming a last-gasp 20-18 win over the St. George Illawarra Dragons
Result
Gold Coast Titans 20
Tries: (3) Jayden Campbell 22nd; Phillip Sami 53rd; Toby Sexton 76th
Goals: (4) Tanah Boyd 23rd, 32nd, 54th, 77th
St. George Illawarra Dragons 18
Tries: (3) Zac Lomax 17th; Mikaele Ravalawa 42nd; Ben Hunt 73rd
Goals: (3) Zac Lomax 19th, 35th, 44th
Report
A try in the dying minutes to Toby Sexton has helped the Gold Coast Titans claim a thrilling win over the St. George lllawarra Dragons on Easter Sunday afternoon.
In front of a crowd of 12,452 in beautiful conditions on the Gold Coast, the two teams went tit-for-tat for the full 80 minutes, before the Titans ultimately claimed the victory.
There was plenty of ill-feeling in the match, with an awkward tackle by Francis Molo landing him in the sin bin after just three minutes.
With an attacking chance, Alofiana Khan-Pereira came close to opening the score for the Titans, however he lost control attempting to ground the ball.
The Dragons came close shortly after, however they were also denied when Zac Lomax’s offload to Mat Feagai went forward.
Khan-Pereira was denied again in the 12th minute when he put his foot on the sideline attempting to score.
It was the Dragons who ultimately scored the first try when Lomax flew high in the 17th minute.
The Titans hit back minutes later when Sexton and Jayden Campbell combined for the fullback to touch down under the posts.
The game threatened to boil over after half an hour when players from both sides came together following a tackle by Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Jaydn Su’A was penalised for his involvement, gifting Tanah Boyd an easy two points.
The game was drawn level again immediately after when Aaron Schoupp was penalised for a high tackle, allowing Lomax to level the scores at 8-all five minutes before half-time.
The two sides went to the break still locked at 8-all, despite Campbell sparking a thrilling attacking raid in the dying seconds.
The Dragons wasted no time in taking back the lead in the second half, with Mikaele Ravalawa powering over out wide. Lomax converted to push the lead to 14-8.
Ben Hunt saved a try with an intercept on his own, running downfield to put the Dragons on the attack. It mattered little thought, as Phillip Sami scored for the Titans in the next set, leaving the scores level at 14-all with 26 minutes to go.
Hunt was the saviour for the Dragons again in the next set, just getting to the ball in the in-goal area, before somehow getting back into the field of play.
Repeat sets attacking the Titans’ line inside the final 10 minutes eventually paid dividends for the Dragons, with Hunt scooting over on the last to take back the lead. Lomax’s kick sailed wide, leaving the margin at four.
Continuing the trend of the afternoon, the Titans struck back after a set restart, with Sexton dummying and scoring out wide. Boyd converted, taking the lead with two minutes to play.
The Dragons had the final chance, however Hunt spilt the ball, marring an otherwise excellent individual performance as the Titans moved back into the top eight.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Jayden Campbell (Titans)
2 – Ben Hunt (Dragons)
1 – Phillip Sami (Titans)
