The iSelect Titans under-20s have recorded their third victory of the season with an impressive 36-16 win against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
The Titans led only 12-6 up to the 39th minute but ran away with the game on the back of a low error rate until the final 10 minutes and a dominant display by the forwards, led by second-rower Anthony Colman.
Three tries in a space of 14 minutes in the second half saw the score go from 18-10 to 36-10 which put a smile on the face of coach Ben Woolf who has had as frustrating season with a team that has worked hard and played with enthusiasm but not been able to often enough put together an 80-minute effort.
They started superbly through a try to winger Zac Spring after just four minutes, converted by Deacon Fletcher. And they were able to continue the effort with halves Kane Elgey and Christian Hazard, up against his former club, controlling play well and fullback Jahrome Hughes heavily involved.
The Rabbitohs levelled at 6-all in the 24th minute before Hughes scored after chipping ahead for himself and regathering. Elgey converted for 12-6.
Elgey scored from a grubber into the in-goal and converted for an 18-6 half-time lead.
Souths brought it back to 18-10 14 minutes into the second half through winger Irae Simone but, rather than fall into errors as they had in previous weeks, the Titans showed their mettle and controlled the ball well and were tight and physical in defence.
Brian Kelly scored in the left corner after good hands across the line then centre Jaidan Hawkes crossed from a good inside ball from Hughes. Both were converted by Elgey. Shaun Hudson finished the Titans’ scoring in the 76th minute from another smart set play and Fletcher converted from the right touchline to give the team a 100 per cent kicking record for the night.
The Rabbitohs scored a token try in the left corner in the last five second of the game through winger Tom Hughes, converted by Simone.
The Rabbitohs were in tenth position on equal points with the eighth placed Warriors so it was a commendable effort by our boys who will take on Canberra this Sunday determined to make it back-to-back victories and record their first win before their home crowd.
iSelect Titans 36 (Spring, Hughes, Elgey, Kelly, Hawkes, Hudson tries; Elgey 4, Fletcher 2 goals) beat South Sydney 16 (Booth, Simone, Hughes tries; Simone 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium.
