Chapman hat-trick puts Titans on verge of finals
The Gold Coast Titans defeated the Parramatta Eels 34-12 at Cbus Super Stadium, putting themselves in the box seat to secure a top-four spot at the end of the season.
The Titans have leapfrogged the Broncos into third position, with a victory against the Raiders next week ensuring a place in the finals for the first time since the club's inaugural season in 2021.
A dominant first half display and a hat-trick to their Origin star Jamie Chapman laid the foundations for the home side who claimed their third win on the trot.
Match: Titans v Eels
Round 8 -
home Team
Titans
3rd Position
away Team
Eels
10th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Parramatta opened the scoring after a Rachel Pearson bomb was unable to be defused by the Evania Pelite with Kimberly Hunt jumping on the loose ball and grounding it in the in goal.
The Titans hit back five minutes later with Chantay Kiria-Ratu instrumental in setting up a line break for Niall Williams-Guthrie which provided the field position for the Titans five-eight to go over untouched after an impressive show and go.
The home side went back-to-back after a strong carry from front rower Jessika Elliston who picked out a returning Kennedy Cherington and carried her over the line.
The game had settled into an arm wrestle before the Titans would convert a midfield scrum with a slick movement to the left hand side for Kiria-Ratu to go over for her second of the afternoon.
The Titans extended their lead right on the stroke of half time through a short side play down the left edge once again with Lauren Brown linking up with Kiria Ratu who put over Jaime Chapman untouched.
After the resumption of the second half the Titans picked up from where they left off with another well worked scrum play in the attacking red zone with Chapman being brought back under by Lauren Brown to score her second of the afternoon.
Double trouble for Chappo
The game settled into an arm wrestle in the second half before a Titans error handed the Eels field possession which they took full advantage of with Tyla Amiatu beating three defenders on her way to the try line.
Parramatta failed to find touch after being awarded a penalty which the Gold Coast took full advantage through a third try from Chapman who came back against the grain and brushed past two defenders.
Zara Canfield would put the finishing touches on the result for the Titans as she picked up a loose ball after a one-on-one strip on the try line and diving over untouched.
Match highlights: Titans v Eels
Match snapshot
- Titans centre Jaime Chapman scored the first hat-trick in Titans NRLW history
- Eels lock Kennedy Cherington topped the tackle count at 43 in her return from suspension
- Titans held 57 per cent of possession and completed at 72 per cent
- Both sides had 11 errors each
