History-Making Titans PDRL v NSWPDRL Clash A Success
It was a history making game at CBUS Super Stadium on the 16th of July, with the Gold Coast Titans PDRL side taking on the select NSWPDRL side.
It was the first ever game between the two sides, with Australian World Cup selectors sitting in the grandstands watching alongside 6,000 spectators.
Gold Coast Titans winger Hudson Wicks kicked off the try scoring, with a try in the corner in the 5th minute.
On the next kick off, Titans player Karel Dekker, affectionately known as Dex, made a line break and ran 60m through gallant NSW defenders, before falling short of the tryline by 20m.
His line break, plus a penalty on the NSW 20m line, gave the Titans good field position to set Wicks up with his second try on the same wing.
An incredible run from NSW’s Rylee Lowe had the NSW team in great position before being taken into touch by Titans Captain Dean Clark.
Captain Dean Clark showed his leadership throughout the game, with multiple tackle busts inching his team towards the try line with every set.
A Titans try brought the score to 12-0 Titans by halftime.
Karrel Dekker made up for his first half stumble, scoring a try under the posts in the second half before converting it himself.
A great defensive read from NSW’s Denzel Edwards caused a dropped ball from the home side, just 5m out from their own line, preventing another four points from being put on the scoreboard.
Celebrating his 100th game, NSW front rower Geoff Clarke shared his passion on field, with plenty of big hits and defensive plays.
An incredible line break from NSWs Kyle Schaberg in the 34th minute moved the NSW team 65m off their own line.
Just minutes out from full-time, NSW were close to putting four points on the board, before a tackle by Titans Hudson Wicks, forced NSW out of their own 10m.
In the dying minutes of the game, Karel Dekker scored the final try, running 100m down the field to score, bringing the full-time score to 26-0.
NSWPDRL Director Paul Tubridy said that the game has showcased determination from both teams.
"The game between the NSWPDRL and the Titans PDRL sides was the culmination of many years of preparation and recently a lot of work to standardisation on player classifications and standard rules, these did not exist just a few short months ago,” Tubridy said.
“Now there has been a successful game allows a truly national side to be selected for the upcoming World Cup in October, being played in the UK.
“The NSWPDRL is looking forward to a return match, and also seeing the expansion of competitions, with the support of the NSWRL, Titans NRL, the QRL and the NRL.
“Congratulations to the Titans PDRL on their win, and the NSWPDRLA team for playing with such great determination and spirit!” Tubridy said.
Although it was the first PDRL game between the Titans and NSWPDRL, it definitely won’t be the last for the sides, with the game becoming an annual fixture of their respective seasons.
The Gold Coast Titans would like to thank NSWPDRL for their efforts in travelling to the Gold Coast and making the game come to life.
The Australian side for the PDRL World Cup in November, will be announced late August.
