Titans down Panthers to record their first win of the season

It’s been a tough start to the year for the Gold Coast Titans but after a gutsy win over the Penrith Panthers, they can now brag that they have as many wins as their rivals the Broncos.

Jarrod Wallace of the Titans reacts after scoring a try. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

The tide is beginning to turn on the Gold Coast after a hard-fought 30-24 win over the Penrith on the Gold Coast.

The Titans broke their four-game losing streak in a heated affair at Cbus Super Stadium in front of 8680 fans.

Jarrod Wallace reacts after scoring a try for the Titans. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

It was a night to remember for the Titans after they finally found their straps which had been much hyped about in the off season.

The pressure was beginning to build on the Gold Coast during the week after falling to their worst ever start to a season – last night, the pressure valve was released.

Gold Coast’s forward pack were in fine form as they muscled their way through the middle of the field to build momentum for the playmakers.

But it was the backs who finally delivered on their potential with each player from No.1 to No.6 scoring a try or having a hand in one.

Titans coach Garth Brennan described it as a gutsy win by the Titans – who he said in the past would have given up once they lost the lead.

“It wasn’t pretty,” he said.

“What they showed was guts and determination and attitude.

“Even up to the last set of the game they didn’t make it easy for us.

“The performance, it could be better.

“A big factor I thought was when (Penrith) went back-to-back tries and we went six points in front to six points behind.

“I think this team in the past would have thought ‘well we’ve had a crack for 40 minutes maybe tonight’s not our night’ but they turned it around.

“Their defensive efforts was great and they showed the desire, that I knew was there.”

Ashley Taylor grimaces as he tries to fight through his injury. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Taylor injured, Wallace charged

The win was marred however by an injury to star halfback Ash Taylor who copped a cork to his right calf in the second minute of the match.

Taylor tried to run off the injury and appeared to have done so after setting up the Titans first try in the 15th minute. But he left the field in the 28th minute and failed to return.

Livewire supersub AJ Brimson was brought on as his replacement and helped Tyrone Roberts inject some of the much-needed attack the Titans had lacked in the opening rounds of the competition.

Taylor is expected to get scans on his leg on Saturday.

Brennan said he was in “a fair bit of discomfort”.

“I wasn’t going to risk him if his body wasn’t right,” he said.

“There’s a handy replacement in AJ Brimson and I was crazy not to use him.

“(Tyrone Roberts) is more than capable of steering the team around (if Taylor is unable to play next week).

“I have faith in Tyrone Roberts but I think Ash will be fine.”

Meanwhile, Jarrod Wallace faces some time on the sidelines after a brutal shoulder charge that prompted a brief push and shove between the teams.

Viliame Kikau fends off Tyrone Peachy. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Peachey keen to fire

Gold Coast centre Tyrone Peachey was one of their best and looks to have returned to his devastating form.

He ran for 113m, broke six tackles and set up a try.

It was shaping to be a scrappy affair on the Gold Coast between the two lowest scoring teams of the season.

Penrith headed into the match with the most handling errors of any team in 2019, while the Titans averaged 29.3 missed tackles a game.

But with the Titans’ return home from a three week road trip yesterday and they also returned to form.

James Maloney gets in for a try at Cbus Super Stadium. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Tryline defence struggles

The only worrying signs for the Titans is their tryline defence when they let through two easy tries to Penrith’s James Maloney and James Fisher-Harris.

Maloney scored first points underneath the posts in the eighth minute, going through the defensive line untouched.

The Titans hit back in the 15th minute through a nice kick by halfback Ash Taylor close to the line and pounced on by Tyrone Roberts to even up the scores 6-all.

The crowd erupted five minutes later when fan favourite Anthony Don crossed the line to give the Titans the lead for the first time this season.

Milestone man Michael Gordon celebrated his 250th NRL game last night and was rewarded with a try just before halftime to give them a 18-12 lead heading into halftime.

A penalty try to Bryce Cartwright in the 70th minute helped seal the Titans’ first win of the 2019 season.

Originally published as Titans down Panthers to record their first win of the season