The iSelect Titans under-20s have been beaten 28-20 by the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium tonight after starting brilliantly by leading 10-0 after just 13 minutes.
Flow of possession against them through too many penalties and costly errors at some stages had a big impact on the result but it was a brave effort by our boys who, like the NRL team, were affected by injuries.
The Titans had a tremendous start with the two early tries through centre Connor Broadhurst and halfback Kane Elgey which was converted by Deacon Fletcher.
Elgey’s try was a brilliant individual effort. He chipped and regathered in traffic just inside the Broncos’ quarter near the left touchline and ran around to near the posts.
However, a flow of possession from penalties and crucial errors saw Brisbane gain some momentum and they were on the scoreboard after 25 minutes through prop Aaron Rockley to make it 10-6.
Nine minute later the Broncos hit the lead when second-rower Alex Barr shook off three defenders from 10 metres to touch down. Both tries were converted by halfback Duncan Paia’aua.
The Titans had the worst possible start to the second half, conceding a try after little more than a minute to right winger Tom Opacic to make it 16-10.
Our boys struck back after just four minutes to level the scores at 16-all when Harrison Hughes scored from close range with Elgey landing the conversion.
But the Broncos scored the next two tries to go ahead 28-16 as constant penalties and the speed of the Brisbane play the ball had the Titans too often on the back foot.
Replacement winger Wilson Bennett gave the Titans a chance when he scored millimetres inside the left touchline to make it 28-20. Deacon Fletcher just missed the conversion.
The Titans had several chances as they spent much of the final minutes deep in Broncos territory but could not take advantage of several chances. Ultimately, costly penalties (some certainly 50-50) and handling errors cost the boys gaining any real momentum in the second half.
Broncos 28 (Rockley, Barr, Opacic, Adams, Greinke tries; Nikorima 4 goals) beat iSelect Titans 20 (Broadhurst, Elgey, Hughes, Bennett tries; Fletcher, Elgey goals) at Suncorp Stadium.
