It was the Titans who held on for a 32-30 victory over the young pups at Central Coast Stadium this afternoon.
There were no changes to the side named earlier in the week but a positional change from last week saw Bronson Garlick shift to five-eighth and Brad Keighran move into the hooking role.
It was the referee who was in the thick of the action early on with penalty after penalty being blown but it was the Titans who took advantage of the extra sets when they crossed for their first try in the 14th minute of play. A simple shift to the left created the overlap and fullback Shaun Hudson went over to score. Halfback Brayden Torpy couldn’t convert with the early lead 4-nil.
From the kick-off it was all too easy for the Titans who just busted up through the middle early in the tackle count, before a shift on the fourth tackle sent winger Greg Leleisiuao into open space and over to score in the south-east corner. Torpy leant from his first attempt and converted to extend the lead out to 12-nil.
The young pups opened their account in the 28th minute through winger Jayden Okunbor. It was a slick back line movement that saw the winger streak away to score in the north-east corner. Keighran couldn’t convert with the score staying at 10-4.
The Titans crossed for two tries to round out the first half. Front rower Oshae Tuiasau grabbed the third try of the afternoon and Leleisiuao scored his second of the afternoon and fourth for his side. Torpy converted one of the tries with the visitors going to the break leading 20-4.
It was the Titans who opened the scoring in the second half with Leleisiuao registering his hat-trick. Torpy couldn’t convert with the score now 24-4.
Renouf To’omaga helped the scoreboard shortly after he went over in the 51st minute. With Keighran off the field, Guy Hamilton took over the kicking duties and converted to close the gap to 24-10.
Just five minutes later the Titans went in again with front rower Max Elliott barging his way over. Torpy converted from in front, with the scoreboard now reading 28-10.
Reimis Smith bagged a double in as many minutes soon after and with Hamilton converting one of those, the Titans lead was reduced to 10 points, 30-20 after 64 minutes of play.
Marcelo Montoya scored twice in the closing minutes either side of a penalty goal by the Titans, the scoreboard read 32-30 at the end of 80 minutes.
TITANS 32 (Leleisiuao 3, Hudson, Tuiasau, Elliott Tries; Torpy 4 Goals)
Def.
BULLDOGS 30 (Montoya 2, Smith 2, Okunbor, To’omaga Tries; Hamilton 3 Goals)
At: Central Coast Stadium
