Dave Taylor shines as Gold Coast Titans keep sinking following loss to Warriors

DAVE Taylor sent a message to Queensland selectors that his game is on track but the Titans continue to struggle with a third straight loss.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MAY 24: Dave Taylor of the Titans celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during the round 11 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium on May 24, 2014 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

FORGOTTEN Queensland forward Dave “Coaltrain” Taylor reminded Maroons selectors his individual game was on the right track but Gold Coast’s season continued to fall off the rails on Saturday night with a third straight loss.

Taylor bagged a first half hat trick and left several New Zealand Warriors defenders skittled in his path of destruction in an enormous performance, but the injury-ravaged Titans slumped to a 24-16 loss in front of 18,753 fans at Cbus Super Stadium.

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Luke Douglas of the Titans takes on the defence.

The defeat means the Titans will likely fall outside the top eight for the first time this year and with significant injury concerns ripping through the squad Gold Coast will welcome a bye this week to lick their wounds and regroup for the second half of 2014.

Hooker Beau Falloon joined the growing casualty ward at Robina when he lasted just 15 minutes before a lower back complaint had him walking to the sheds with the speed of a pensioner.

With Aidan Sezer, Ashley Harrison, Greg Bird, Nate Myles, Brad Takairangi and Albert Kelly among their stars either injured, suspended or on rep duty, the Titans needed absolutely everything to fall their way.

The fact they were in the contest til the end was again a reflection of their bravery and courage which typified their 6-2 start to the 2014.

Manu Vatuvei pushes off David Mead.

Just as was the case last week against the Broncos, the Titans scrapped and persevered all night but they never full contained the Warriors size and speed around the ruck.

Taylor provided some hope with a breathtaking first half, seizing upon every opportunity that fell his way to create points for the Titans and hand the home side a 16-14 lead at the break.

Greg Bird on the bench.

Taylor’s first try came when Sam Tomkins bobbled a Maurice Blair kick into the Gold Coaster’s hands but his next two were moments that should feature on a Coaltrain highlights reel.

They weren’t flashy, they weren’t tricky, it was just a 120kg brute using his size and pace to power through retreating defence.

The runs were exactly what Titans coach John Cartwright has wanted to extract from Taylor since he arrived from South Sydney last year.

The second try he carried two defenders 15m to score, the third time it was 25m out he gathered a full head of steam and Shaun Johnson showed little interest in blocking his path to the line.

Matt White of the Titans takes on the defence.

If Taylor was the star for Gold Coast, then rookie Paul Carter was not far behind.

Carter’s mongrel was worth the price of admission alone as the nuggety forward got in the faces of the Warriors hulking pack and provided the charge down that gave Taylor the field position for his third try.

Paul Carter gets a ball away.

But as entertaining the Titans were in the first half, they just couldn’t mount any threats in the second half to put heat on the Warriors.

Warriors skipper Simon Mannering put his side ahead with a try in the 46th minute and when winger David Fusitua scored his second try with 18 minutes to go, to put the visitors eight ahead, the deficit became too difficult for Gold Coast.

WARRIORS 24 (D Fusitua 2 S Johnson S Mannering B Matulino tries C Townsend 2 goals) bt GOLD COAST 16 (D Taylor 3 tries B Henry 2 goals) at Cbus Super Stadium. Referee: Gavin Morris, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 18,753.