The Gold Training Gold Coast Titans under 20s have scored a gutsy 22-20 win over the New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium this afternoon.
Going into the final five minutes of the match trailing 20-18, the young Titans produced a late try through utility Jordan Scott to steal the match from the Warriors and join level with them on the competition ladder.
It was a tight contest but the Titans lead for much of the match until a poor start to the second-half saw the side give up their 12-6 half-time lead.
But Ben Woolf’s men continued to fight in the battle and were rewarded for their effort with their eighth win of the year.
The Titans opened the scoring in the seventh minute through fullback AJ Brimson who ran an excellent line to support Josh Ralph’s inside ball. With Josh Rogers converting the Titans took a slim 6-0 lead.
The Warriors hit-back in the 20th minute through crafty hooker Sheldon Pitama finding his way across the line to plant the ball down before Kane Telea added the extras to tie the match up at 6-all.
The Titans managed to go into the half-time break with a 12-6 lead after centre Phillip Sami finished some great team play to score before Rogers converted the try.
It was a bad start for the Titans with a knock-on from the kick-off gifting the Warriors prime attacking position and they took full advantage with Pitama grabbing his second try of the afternoon after scooting over from dummy-half. With Telea adding the extras the scores were tied up at 12-all.
The Warriors took the lead for the first time of the match in the 59th minute when Lewis Soosemea finished off a great attacking ride to launch himself into the in-goal and plant the ball down inside the touchline. With Telea adding the extras, the Warriors lead 18-12 going into the final 20 minutes.
The Titans responded in spectacular fashion with Sami scooping up a loose ball in his own half before racing 60 metres downfield to score untouched next to the posts. Rogers added the extras to tie the match up at 18-all.
Going into the final ten minutes the Warriors got a penalty directly in-front and opted to take the kick-at-goal and with Telea converting, the Warriors took the slim 20-18 lead.
But the Titans secured the win with utility Jordan Scott diving over from dummy-half to give the home-side the 22-20 victory.
The young Titans will be looking to keep their run into the finals alive when they take on the Wests Tigers.
Gold Coast Titans 22 (P Sami 2, A Brimson, J Scott tries; J Rogers 3 goals) defeated New Zealand Warriors 20 (S Pitama 2, L Soosemea tries; K Telea 4 goals)
