The Gold Training Titans NYC side have left Campbelltown Stadium with a much needed 28-14 victory over the Wests Tigers.
The home side got the early jump but either side of the half-time break belonged to the Titans, setting up the victory.
NYC Coach Ben Woolf welcomed back Phillip Sami fresh off a debut last weekend for the Titans, taking his place at fullback.
The Tigers started the match with the weight of possession, a lot of that stemming from ill-discipline from the visitors. Camped in Titans territory, the home side were able to turn it into points with winger Liam Pakau scoring in the left hand corner. James Tautaiolefua converted from the sideline, giving the Tigers a 6-nil lead after just eight minutes of play.
The weight of possession shifted and three sets in a row on the Tigers line and some good line running brought about the Titans first points. It was Sami who simply showed too much pace for his opposite, stepping off the left and then turning it on to go over and score. Ethan Roberts couldn’t convert from the sideline, with the Tigers holding on to a 6-4 lead after 15 minutes.
The next 20 minutes was full of ill-discipline with referee Damien Brady blowing the pea out of the whistle. It was the Titans to score next though, with Sami registering a double off a rolling set that saw the side go 90m down field to score in the 34th minute. Roberts converted on this occasion, giving the Titans a 10-6 lead.
It was the start to the second half that Coach Woolf wanted with three early tries in the second stanza to set up the victory.
The first came through winger Jordan Birch in the 45th minute and the carnage out wide continued five minutes later through centre Keenan Yorston and then Jake Sparey on the other wing in the 57th minute.
A small scare was put through the Titans camp when the Tigers crossed in the 70th minute, making it 24 – 10.
Each side scored a try each in the final five minutes but it didn’t trouble the end result with the Titans leaving Campbelltown with a 28-14 victory.
TITANS 28 (Sami 2, Birch 2, Yorston, Sparey Tries; Roberts 2 Goals)
Def.
TIGERS 14 (Pakau, Pakoti, Toli Tries; Tautaiolefa 1 Goal)
At: Campbelltown Stadium
