The Brisbane Broncos have scored their second win of the season, upsetting the highly-fancied Gold Coast Titans 32-12 on the Gold Coast.
The Titans entered the match as favourites, having won their last three matches since dropping their season opener against Cronulla.
But the holiday boys were made to pay for a poor second half in which they completely switched off against a team that had shown signs of promise against the defending premiers, Melbourne, last week.
It looked as if the Titans would continue their great run of form when Albert Kelly scored under the posts after 14 minutes. Greg Bird was successful with the conversion and the score was 6-0 to the Titans.
However, Peter Wallace would cancel that effort out by getting the Broncos on the board just five minutes later.
Scott Prince, playing against his old team for the first time since his controversial departure from the holiday strip less than six months ago, successfully potted the conversion and the scoreline was 6-all.
Beau Falloon would give the Titans back the lead ten minutes later, and with the successful conversion from Bird, the Titans were in front 12-6.
But that would be the last time they would score for the evening.
The Broncos got their second try through Josh Hoffman six minutes out from half-time, but the conversion from Prince was unsuccessful, so the Broncos entered the sheds behind 12-10 at half-time.
Greg Bird was reported in the first half for a high shot on Lachlan Maranta, meaning he could land in hot water with the judiciary when they meet next week to discuss and review all the matches.
The second half came down to whichever team would score first. The Broncos took the lead through Matt Gillett in the 46th minute, and from there they would not lose the lead.
The match was still there to be won, with the Broncos leading 16-12, but with just over 10 minutes left the visitors skipped out clear, through Justin Hodges, to 20-12.
Two more tries to the Broncos gave the match its final scoreline of 32-12.
Overall, it was an impressive victory for the Broncos, who I didn’t expect to win this evening given just how in form the Titans were, and the fact that the match was played on the Gold Coast.
They have the chance to level their season if they can beat the North Queensland Cowboys at home next week.
As for the Titans, they started very impressively, but their second half was disappointing as they capitulated to lose a match they should have won quite easily.
The effort that was there in the first half absolutely went missing in the second, as their attack diminished and they coughed up 26 unanswered points after leading 12-6 in the 31th minute.
Next week, they get paid a visit by the Parramatta Eels, who are still to play their match against Cronulla.
In tonight’s other match, Manly survived a try-less second half to beat the Bulldogs 20-6 at ANZ Stadium.
Jorge Taufua scored a double and Jamie Lyon also chipped in as the Sea Eagles led 18-0 in a half in which they played absolutely perfect football – as the Bulldogs coughed up the ball numerous times and also missed 13 tackles.
Michael Ennis scored the Bulldogs’ only try with seven minutes remaining; overall, it was a disappointing effort from last year’s runners-up, who now slump to 1-4 for the season.
Any chances they have of improving that will have to come against Sonny Bill Williams and the Sydney Roosters next Friday night.
As for the Sea Eagles, who are now on 4-1 for the season, they host the Cronulla Sharks in the Battle of the Beaches next Sunday.
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