Live NRL score updates, blog: Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans
Roar Guru By shanebrien, 29 Aug 2011 shanebrien is a Roar Guru
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The Wests Tigers are gunning for the top four while the Gold Coast Titans travel to Campbelltown Sports Stadium playing for pride and looking to halt a seventh straight victory for the Tigers. Join us for live scores and blog from 7:00pm AEST.
The Titans are coming off two impressive victories in the last three weeks to give them some hope for next season.
Tonight’s game will prove to be a sterner test as the Tigers have more than the two points to play for as they mark a special night for a host of departing Tigers: Todd Payten, Bryce Gibbs, Tim Moltzen, Wade McKinnon, Andrew Fifita and Mark Flanagan all being honoured with a special post-match tribute.
The Tigers have been a revelation over the past six weeks, stepping up to overcome a midseason form slump and off-field issues including the now-ended drama of Benji Marshall’s court case.
The Tigers are bolstered by the return of internationals Lote Tuqiri and Gareth Ellis. Matt Utai, who has filled in admirably while Tuqiri has been sidelined, shifts to the centres with Mitch Brown moving to the bench.
Mark Flanagan is the unlucky one who misses out due to the return of Ellis.
The Titans personnel changes sees Clinton Toopi displacing Dominique Peyroux (broken hand) at centre, while inspirational leader Luke Bailey makes his return which pushes Anthony Laffranchi to the second row and Luke O’Dwyer to the bench.
The History
Played 8; Titans 5, Wests Tigers 3. The Titans have won three of the past four games between the sides, including a 20-14 win at Skilled Park in Round 6.
Key Stats
• The Tigers have scored more tries (43) down the right corridor than any other team, while the Titans have leaked more tries to teams down the right sideline (their left defence) than any other side (42).
• Titans have a strong record against the Tigers. The past three games have been extremely close affairs (a combined winning margin of just 10 points)
• The Tigers are the ‘Monday Night Kings’ – over the past three seasons they’ve won seven of eight games to close out a round.
Key Matchup
Greg Bird got back to his destructive self on the weekend, running for 167m from 22 hit-ups, as well as 32 tackles, one offload, a line break and a try assist. He will be a key player again for the Titans this week.
In contrast, Chris Heighington had an off day against the Eels statistically, running for 94m from his 12 hit-ups, making only 29 tackles but also making two errors. He will need to step up in a face-off with Bird this week.
Lineups
Tigers: Tim Moltzen, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Matt Utai, Lote Tuqiri, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Mitch Brown, Todd Payten, Matt Groat, Aaron Woods.
Titans: Jordan Rankin, Steve Michaels, Esi Tonga, Clinton Toopi, David Mead, William Zillman, Preston Campbell (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird. Interchange: Brenton Lawrence, Will Matthews, Bodene Thompson, Luke O’Dwyer
Match Officials: Referees – Steve Lyons, Phil Haines; Sideline Officials – Adam Reid, David Munro; Video Ref – Sean Hampstead.
Betting: West Tigers – $1.08, Gold Coast Titans – $7.
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The Crowd Says (43) | Page 1 of Comments
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8:50pm
shanebrien said | 8:50pm | Report comment
Fulltime Stats
Possession
Tigers – 41
Titans 51
Tackles
Tigers – 241
Titans – 307
Line Breaks
Tigers – 11
Titans – 1
Missed Tackles
Tigers – 26
Titans – 56
Errors
Tigers – 12
Titans – 16
Penalties
Tigers – 9
Titans – 5
8:47pm
Tristan Rayner said | 8:47pm | Report comment
Nice call tonight Shane. More than 1300 reads! Tigers red hot.
8:45pm
shanebrien said | 8:45pm | Report comment
On the full time siren, Farah adds 1 more point to the see the Tigers record their 7th straight victory.
Tigers 39
Titans 10
The Tigers were not as impressive in that second half, and the Titans did show a bit more fight, but it was never enough really. No doubt Benji will be M.O.M.
8:41pm
shanebrien said | 8:41pm | Report comment
78′ Try Tigers, Chris Heighington gets his name on the score sheet. Mitch Brown coverts.
Tigers 38
Titans 10
8:39pm
shanebrien said | 8:39pm | Report comment
77′ And another set as Preston is forced to bat the ball dead in goal after a Farah grubber in goal. Good effort by the Titans to hold them out when there’s nothing on the line.
8:38pm
shanebrien said | 8:38pm | Report comment
75′ Tigers will get another set on the Titans line, Tigers pass knocked down.
Tiger 32
Titans 10
8:37pm
shanebrien said | 8:37pm | Report comment
73′ Titans finally with the ball. The Tigers had set up camp inside the Titans 20. As I say that, the Titans drop the ball. They will be doing well to not concede here.
Benji has been interchanged. Outstanding effort from the star playmaker.
8:29pm
shanebrien said | 8:29pm | Report comment
67′ Benji converts,
Tigers 32
Titans 10
8:28pm
shanebrien said | 8:28pm | Report comment
66′ Try Tigers, Moltzen left foot step through a gap, and goes over. Tiger 30 Titans 10, kick to come, you get the feeling the Tigers will put few more points on tonight.
8:24pm
shanebrien said | 8:24pm | Report comment
Must say the Titans have shown plenty of spirit in this second half. And on the kick restart the Tigers are bundled in touch. Poor option from the Tigers. Titans can hit right back, they need to hit right back.
8:23pm
shanebrien said | 8:23pm | Report comment
61′ After repeated sets on the Titans line, they finally crack. A neat offload from Utai to Tuqiri who goes over in the corner.
Benji misses the conversion.
Tigers 26
Titans 10
8:18pm
shanebrien said | 8:18pm | Report comment
56′ And the Titans ruin a great chance on the Tigers line, a loose pass from dummy half and Robert Lui jumps on the ball. Titans then give away a penalty and all of the sudden the Tigers are on the attack.
8:12pm
shanebrien said | 8:12pm | Report comment
50′ Another dropped ball from the Tigers, Tim Sheens will be fuming if he wasn’t already. Titans couldn’t make the most of this dropped ball though. Tigers inviting the Titans back in to this game with some sloppy ball work.
8:09pm
shanebrien said | 8:09pm | Report comment
47′ And there we go, Benji this time fails to produce and David Mead intercepts and crusies 45 to touch down for the Titans. Tim Sheens will not be happy with that.
Preston covverts,
Tigers 22
Titans 10
8:07pm
shanebrien said | 8:07pm | Report comment
46′ Tigers survive, the Titans are trying hard, but it’s just not their night. Tigers bring the ball out from their own half.
Tigers 22
Titans 4
8:05pm
shanebrien said | 8:05pm | Report comment
44′ Tigers conceed a penalty this time. P.S. It was Benji. Titans on the attack, 10 out from Tigers line, and another penalty for a high shot. Titans, must score here now.
8:03pm
shanebrien said | 8:03pm | Report comment
41′ And there goes Benji again, throws a dummy and the Titans defence open up like Sydney heads, He is eventually brought down 20 out from the Titans line and somehow the Titans end up with the ball. He cannot be tackled tonight, Benji.
8:00pm
shanebrien said | 8:00pm | Report comment
Players make their way back out on to the field. Hope the TItans improve on the first half debacle they produced or this could get uglier.
7:54pm
shanebrien said | 7:54pm | Report comment
Halftime stats
Possession
Tigers – 58%
Titans – 42%
Tackles
Tigers – 122
Titans – 152
Line Breaks
Tigers – 5
Titans – 1
Offloads
Tigers – 5
Titans – 4
Missed Tackles
Tigers – 11
Titans – 29
Errors
Tigers – 7
Titans – 7
Penalties
Tigers – 3
Titans – 1
7:49pm
shanebrien said | 7:49pm | Report comment
And that will do us for the first half. It has been the Benji show once again. Tigers head to the sheds full of confidence and 22 to 4 up against a woeful Titans outfit.
7:46pm
shanebrien said | 7:46pm | Report comment
36′ Dropped balls from both teams here, and all of a sudden the Titans hit back with a try of their own. Minichiello chases a Zillman grubber and touches down. Tigers a touch sloppy there with ball in hand.
Tigers 22
Titans 4
7:44pm
shanebrien said | 7:44pm | Report comment
35′ And Benji splits them again. Tigers go 80 down field, but the Titans somehow manage to survive and recover a Tigers dropped ball.
7:42pm
shanebrien said | 7:42pm | Report comment
33′ And there it is, no surprise really, Tigers try, Ayshford gets his name on the score sheet, Benji is dominating, he’s a freak.
He converts and the Tigers now lead 22 nil just before half time.
7:40pm
shanebrien said | 7:40pm | Report comment
31′ Tigers penalty, 10 out from the line, more pressure coming for the Titans.
7:38pm
shanebrien said | 7:38pm | Report comment
29′ Another mistake here by the Gold Coast Titans. Their completion rate is 7/11 and the Tigers have a chance to extend their lead, only 30 out from the Titans line.
7:34pm
shanebrien said | 7:34pm | Report comment
28′ Possible Titans try. Zillman looks to have scored from a dropped bomb. NO TRY. Steve Michaels has in fact got a hand to the ball which has gone forward. Tigers get out of jail.
7:33pm
shanebrien said | 7:33pm | Report comment
26′ Titans get their first penalty. Here we go, a chance to show something, only 10 out from Tigers line.
7:31pm
shanebrien said | 7:31pm | Report comment
24′ Titans survive this Tiger raid. For all those Titans fans, hope they hold the ball and get a good kick away. Please, something, anything.
7:29pm
shanebrien said | 7:29pm | Report comment
22′ And as per script the Tigers drop the ball after a try, and again the Titans drop the ball straight after the Tigers mistake. Dear me the Titans, own worst enemies, ordinary stuff here by the visitors.
7:27pm
shanebrien said | 7:27pm | Report comment
19′ Try Tigers, Woods breaks the line and offloads to Marshall who ducks and weaves a few Titan defenders and scores the Tigers third try. The Titans are in big big trouble, this score could be anything.
Marshall converts,
Tigers 16
Titans 0
7:24pm
shanebrien said | 7:24pm | Report comment
17′ And that’s the second time the TIgers have dropped the ball after points, in saying that they are looking to shift the ball. Titans need to show something with this set in good field territory, and as I say that, they drop the ball. No, no, no, no, no, no.
7:22pm
shanebrien said | 7:22pm | Report comment
16′ Marshall misses to the left.
Tiger 10
Titans 0
7:21pm
shanebrien said | 7:21pm | Report comment
15′ Try Tigers, long sweeping move left to right with a Marshall cut out ball sees Beau Ryan score in the corner, haven’t we seen some stunning tries this weekend. Tigers lead 10 nil with kick to come.
7:19pm
shanebrien said | 7:19pm | Report comment
13′ Second penalty to the Tigers will see them on the attack again. Titans need to hold tight.
7:14pm
shanebrien said | 7:14pm | Report comment
8′ First penalty of the game to the Tigers. Tigers with a good chance to extend their lead.
7:13pm
shanebrien said | 7:13pm | Report comment
7′ Tigers survive, Ordinary set there by the Titans.
Tigers 6
Titans 0
7:12pm
shanebrien said | 7:12pm | Report comment
5′ And off the kick off, Liam Fulton drops the ball, Titans with a good chance to hit right back.
7:11pm
shanebrien said | 7:11pm | Report comment
5′ Kick is converted.
Tigers 6
Titans 0
7:10pm
shanebrien said | 7:10pm | Report comment
4′ Try Tigers, Marshall darts down the short side from dummy half, draws the fullback and offloads to Matt Utai who only has a short run to touch down for the first try of the game. Lazy defence by the Titans. Tigers 4 nil kick to come.
7:08pm
shanebrien said | 7:08pm | Report comment
2′ The Tigers complete their first set of the game, The Titans bring the ball out from deep inside their own half.
7:07pm
shanebrien said | 7:07pm | Report comment
1′ Matt White with the first hit up of the game. Pretty good set to start the game from the Titans.
7:05pm
shanebrien said | 7:05pm | Report comment
The players take to the field. Tigers to kick off.
6:30pm
shanebrien said | 6:30pm | Report comment
Late mail.
Gibbs out, Woods starts – Payten out, Murdoch & Flanagan in while the are as per program.