A crucial 8-0 period with Titans skipper Nate Myles in the sin bin has inspired Gold Coast to a 22-6 road win over the Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
Yet the courageous victory at one stage appeared to have come at a price, with halfback Albert Kelly going off during the game for a possible leg fracture - of which he was later cleared.
The Tigers were controversially denied a try to centre Tim Simona in the ensuing set – again by an obstruction call – but the Titans held on and eventually outscored their opposition 8-0 despite being a man down.
It took just four minutes for their next opportunity however, with Sezer taking full advantage of a jinking Kelly run to embarrass some arm-grabbing efforts in the middle of the park and charge through under the posts. The playmaker converted his own try and the Titans enjoyed the early 6-0 lead.
Yet the courageous victory at one stage appeared to have come at a price, with halfback Albert Kelly going off during the game for a possible leg fracture - of which he was later cleared.
- Kelly cleared of leg fracture
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The Tigers were controversially denied a try to centre Tim Simona in the ensuing set – again by an obstruction call – but the Titans held on and eventually outscored their opposition 8-0 despite being a man down.
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It took just four minutes for their next opportunity however, with Sezer taking full advantage of a jinking Kelly run to embarrass some arm-grabbing efforts in the middle of the park and charge through under the posts. The playmaker converted his own try and the Titans enjoyed the early 6-0 lead.
Gold Coast tried to turn the screws over the next few sets as makeshift centre Dave Taylor threw a brave offload for a flying Anthony Don in the 13th, before Kelly intercepted and ran 50m in the 16th.
But the turning point came when Kelly limped from the field after a heavy tackle from Adam Blair in the 23rd minute. In the following set, a Luke Brooks dummy opened the defence and should've ended in a supporting Martin Taupau going over the tryline, but the prop was held back by Myles.
The home side almost cashed in on the extra man immediately after Myles went to the bin, going right and crossing through Simona. But referee Gerard Sutton ruled that decoy Thompson had impeded Sezer and video referee Steve Clark agreed.
From there the Titans romped downfield, chewing up time as Bird slotted over a ruck infringement penalty in front of the sticks in the 28th minute.
Incredibly, Gold Coast – still a man down – extended their lead on a Paul Carter chargedown of a Braith Anasta kick. The impact hooker picked up the loose ball and found a flying Don to score an important try against the run of play.
Sezer again added the extras and the visitors went into the half-time break with a well-earned 16-0 first half shutout.
The Tigers needed to score first upon resumption and did so through their own impact player in Blake Austin. The utility's kick out of dummy half ricocheted off Greg Bird and his toe poke kept it alive enough for Simona to pounce on in the corner. Pat Richards' conversion went in off the upright and the home side were back in the game.
But the Titans executed the perfect reply in the 53rd minute, Sezer dribbling through for a lunging Bird and an unassailable 22-6 lead.
An opportunity for Don to nab his second was a blade of grass away from happening in the 58th minute, as it was for a desperate Liam Fulton in the 62nd. But Gold Coast were strong enough to ensure the home side never got close enough.
Simona was put on report in the 49th minute for a lifting tackle, while Carter will also have a high tackle reviewed by the match review committee.
Gold Coast Titans 22 (Sezer, Don, Bird tries; Sezer 2, Bird 3 goals) defeated Wests Tigers 6 (Simona tries; Richards goals)at Leichhardt Oval. Crowd: 8929.
But the turning point came when Kelly limped from the field after a heavy tackle from Adam Blair in the 23rd minute. In the following set, a Luke Brooks dummy opened the defence and should've ended in a supporting Martin Taupau going over the tryline, but the prop was held back by Myles.
The home side almost cashed in on the extra man immediately after Myles went to the bin, going right and crossing through Simona. But referee Gerard Sutton ruled that decoy Thompson had impeded Sezer and video referee Steve Clark agreed.
From there the Titans romped downfield, chewing up time as Bird slotted over a ruck infringement penalty in front of the sticks in the 28th minute.
Incredibly, Gold Coast – still a man down – extended their lead on a Paul Carter chargedown of a Braith Anasta kick. The impact hooker picked up the loose ball and found a flying Don to score an important try against the run of play.
Sezer again added the extras and the visitors went into the half-time break with a well-earned 16-0 first half shutout.
The Tigers needed to score first upon resumption and did so through their own impact player in Blake Austin. The utility's kick out of dummy half ricocheted off Greg Bird and his toe poke kept it alive enough for Simona to pounce on in the corner. Pat Richards' conversion went in off the upright and the home side were back in the game.
But the Titans executed the perfect reply in the 53rd minute, Sezer dribbling through for a lunging Bird and an unassailable 22-6 lead.
An opportunity for Don to nab his second was a blade of grass away from happening in the 58th minute, as it was for a desperate Liam Fulton in the 62nd. But Gold Coast were strong enough to ensure the home side never got close enough.
Simona was put on report in the 49th minute for a lifting tackle, while Carter will also have a high tackle reviewed by the match review committee.
Gold Coast Titans 22 (Sezer, Don, Bird tries; Sezer 2, Bird 3 goals) defeated Wests Tigers 6 (Simona tries; Richards goals)at Leichhardt Oval. Crowd: 8929.
