Titans hold on against Warriors

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The Gold Coast Titans have held on against a late Warriors fight-back, to win 32-28 at Mt Smart Stadium today.

The first half see-sawed back and forth a number of times. While the Titans never took the lead, they scored in response almost every time the Warriors did, to keep themselves in the game.

The Warriors opened their scoring thanks to a try to David Fusitua in the 2nd minute of the game. Johnson converted the try to make it 6-0.

Kane Elgey opened the Titans account with his first NRL try in the 12th minute, after some great play from Ryan James. James took the ball to the line, and offloaded under heavy attention, to put Elgey in a big gap.

Matulino crashed over only a couple of minutes later, and Shaun Johnson again added the extras.

Some more Elgey brilliance in the 31st minute saw Anthony Don cross in the corner. Elgey threw a two man cutout ball, and Don reaped the rewards with an athletic display.

Tired Titans defence let the Warriors in for a try just before half time though, as a fresh Nathan Friend ran straight through the ruck from dummy half, and put Johnathan Wright over for his second try at the Warriors. Johnson again converted, and the Warriors went to the break leading 18-12.

Early in the second half was all Titans. The Gold Coast side began spreading the ball early to theirTries to Moseley, Roberts and Ryan James, as well as a second to Kane Elgey, saw the Titans out to a 14 point lead with only 15 minutes remaining.

The Warriors hit back in the 72nd minute with a try to Solomone Kata, and then again in the 78th minute but it was too little too late, with the Titans hanging on to win by 4 points.

Match Details

Warriors 28 Gold Coast Titans 32
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
Crowd: 15,102
Halftime Score: Warriors 18 Gold Coast Titans 12

WARRIORS (28)
Tries: David Fusitua, Ben Matulino, Jonathan Wright, Solomone Kata, Bodene Thompson
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (4/5)

GOLD COAST TITANS (32)
Tries: Kane Elgey (2), Anthony Don, Kierran Moseley, James Roberts, Ryan James
Conversions: Aidan Sezer (4/6)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Kane Elgey
2 points - James Roberts
1 point - Anthony Don

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to a sunny Mt Smart Stadium this ANZAC day for the clash between the Warriors and the Titans.

The Warriors will play 1-17 as named on Tuesday, with Dominique Peyroux the man to miss out from the extended interchange bench. Sam Rapira will make his first appearance for 2015 in jersey #17, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner will make his debut from the interchange bench.

For the away side, they will play 1-17 as named on Tuesday, with Mark Ioane dropping off the extended bench. They are, of course, without Dave Taylor, who is suspended for a high tackle until round 9.


Kick off shortly at Mt Smart Stadium. We've had some rousing ANZAC tributes, and we're just hearing both nations' national anthems.

We're underway, the Titans kick off and the Warriors have first use of the football.

On the last, the Warriors kick high and Mead takes the spiralling bomb and spills it, but luckily it travels backwards.

1: A few plays later the Titans drop the ball cold in the tackle, and the Warriors will get the first real attacking set of the game, only 20m out.

1: Lolohea crashes over the line on the 3rd, but is held up.

2: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by David Fusitua. Kick to come.
And on the next play, the Warriors shift the ball to the right of the field, run two block plays in a row, and then David Fusitua muscles his way over in the corner. Great strength shown there.

3: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson lines up for the conversion attempt from the far right of the field, and makes easy work of it.

5: The Titans get us back underway, and off the kickoff Lolohea steps three men and makes a half break before being dragged down by the defence.

5: The Warriors are making great metres up the middle so far. Townsend puts a high kick up again on the last, but Hoffman is up to the task and takes it nicely.

6: The Titans are forced to kick from within their own half of the field, and the Warriors make it almost back to halfway by the second tackle.

7: The Warriors kick high again for Mead's corner - there's an obvious plan to target that side of the field on the last. The Warriors get a penalty, despite protests from the Titans, and will attack from 15 metres out.

7: And yet another penalty to the Warriors, this time for a hand on the ball from the Titans.

8: We're going to the video referee for a possible try to Ryan Hoffman. A great flat ball from Townsend hits a rampaging Ryan Hoffman, who crashes over the line, but the referee thinks he's held up.

8: The video referee agrees with the on field referee, and its no try.

8: The Warriors go to the blind side, to Manu Vatuvei with a full head of steam, but Vatuvei drops the ball before the defensive line. Huge let off for the Titans.

9: More relief for the Titans, as the Warriors are penalised. Big help for the Titans there, as they've struggled to get out of their own end of the field so far.

10: The Titans get inside the Warriors' ten metres for the first time today, but there's a lot of sideways movement with not a lot of penetration.

11: Another mistake from big Manu - his hands have really let him down so far today.

11: Ryan James very slow to get back to his feet after that tackle. He plays the ball and goes right back on his haunches.

12: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kane Elgey. Kick to come.
Just left of the posts, Kane Elgey runs onto a short ball from Ryan James under heavy traffic, and dives over for a try. Good stuff for the Titans, who have only been down this end of the field for a few minutes.

13: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer makes no mistake with the conversion.

15: Forward pass from the Titans, and the Warriors will get the scrum feed 20 metres out from the Titans line.

15: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Ben Matulino. Kick to come.
A brilliant run around play, and fantastic pass from Thomas Leuluai sees Ben Matulino cross just left of the posts. The Warriors are back in front.

17: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson makes it 12-6.

19: Elgey kicks high on the last - it hangs and moves a little in the breeze, but Lolohea has no trouble catching it.

20: The Titans are penalised again, this time for holding onto an ankle for too long after the tackle. Greg Bird gets out of the ruck limping a bit.

21: The Warriors are heavy on attack on the last. Johnson kicks across field, and Kata dives on the ball, but we are going to check it with the video referee.

21: The on field referee thinks its no try, and the video referee agrees. It's no try, and the Titans will get the ball.

21: James Roberts runs across field, before throwing a speculative pass to Ryan James out wide. The Titans make 20 metres from that run. On the last the Titans grubber into the in goal, but it dribbles dead.

24: The Warriors try a runaround play on the left side of the field, but Manu Vatuvei was too flat and the pass went out over the sideline. The Titans will get the scrum feed on their own 10 metre line.

26: The referee called held in that tackle, but one of the Warriors players didn't care and stripped the ball anyway. The Titans get the penalty.

28: The Warriors kick deep to William Zillman at fullback, and Zillman spills the ball, but the Warriors get penalised. Lucky for Zillman.

29: The Titans attack down the right side of the field. Kane Elgey puts a kick into the in goal looking for Zillman, but the Warriors clean it up and are forced into a line dropout.

29: A massive dummy from Elgey before he switches direction and sends it out to James Roberts. Manu comes flying in, and poor Roberts gets belted.

30: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Anthony Don. Kick to come.
And on the next play, Elgey heads to the left of field, and throws a two man cutout ball to hit Don on the wing, who dives to dot down in the corner. The Titans hit back.

31: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Aidan Sezer, from the sideline, adds the extras.

33: The Titans go down the left of the field now, with some fancy passing, but the ball goes to ground. It would have been a great try had it stuck.

33: The Titans are making some good ground at the moment thanks to their smaller men run around the ruck.

36: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Jonathan Wright. Kick to come.
And so are the Warriors. Friend darts out of dummy half and runs straight, finding a big gap, before passing to Jonathan Wright, who scores just left of the posts.

38: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
As is to be expected, Shaun Johnson converts the try, and the Warriors will most likely go to the break leading 18-12.

38: Just as a bit of an injury update, Thomas Leuluai is off the field after copping a head knock.

38: Johnson finds a big gap now, slicing right between two defenders. Zillman runs him down, but Johnson loses the ball in the tackle.

39: We're packing a scrum on the Titans' 30 metre line, but there's less than 60 seconds left on the clock.

39: Pettybourne runs forward, but loses the ball in the tackle. The Warriors rush to pack a scrum, with just under 20 seconds to go.

40: And that's half time. It's been a back and forth kind of game, with the Warriors scoring, and then the Titans hitting back minutes later, but the Warriors will go to the break leading 18-12.

40: Back underway in the second half. The Titans run the ball out from their own end after the kickoff.

40: Big break down the left side of the field by Anthony Don, but he's wrapped up by the Warriors defence.

43: The Titans kick the ball dead, and Lolohea sprints it away from his 20 metre line after the tap.

43: Sam Lisone brushes off a couple of tackles in a powerful display.

45: David Mead takes a bomb in his in goal, takes the tap, and runs 80 metres. Lolohea comes across and cleans him up just 2 metres from the tryline, and Mead is taken over the sideline. Brilliant work from the Warriors' fullback.

46: Ryan Hoffman is on the ground in all sorts after being wrapped up by Greg Bird in a tackle that unfortunately went high. No intent from Bird there, but Hoffman will have to leave the field after being knocked unconscious. The tackle is placed on report.

47: The Warriors attack the right edge, before sending it back to the left. On the last Johnson kicks high again, but Manu Vatuvei knocks the ball forward and the Titans get some relief.

48: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kierran Moseley. Kick to come.
The Titans look like they are doing absolutely nothing with the ball in hand, until Kierran Moseley darts from dummy half and runs straight into a gap to score. The Warriors defence just held off him in what was a bizarre passage of play.

48: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer unsuccessful.
Sezer sets the kick up from the left side of the field, but pushes it left of the posts.

51: We're just checking with the video referee, but it looks like James Roberts has picked up yet another try. The Titans kicked high through Aidan Sezer, and Ryan James bats the ball back to Kierran Moseley, who then passes to a flying James Roberts. We're just checking for a knock on.

51: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by James Roberts. Kick to come.
And it's a try! Ben Roberts gets his ninth try for the season, and the Titans lead for the first time in the game.

52: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer unsuccessful.
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer is unsuccessful - the Titans lead remains at 2 points.

57: The Titans well on top at the moment, although their attack is still a little scrappy.

57: The Titans kick high again on the last, but Manu Vatuvei storms n and cleans it up, before getting back to his feet and running another 5 metres.

58: Greg Bird is again penalised for a dangerous tackle, but to my eyes it was just a good tackle. He hit Townsend low, and took his legs clean out from underneath him.

58: Friend hits Rapira short, and big Sam goes very close to the line. He then milks a penalty, as the Titans lay too long on the ruck.

58: Friend hits Rapira short again, before wrapping around him and almost scoring a try. Last play for the Warriors, and they make a mess of it. Kane Elgey cleans up.

59: The Titans kick on the fourth, but it finds Jonathan Wright under no pressure at all.

61: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kane Elgey. Kick to come.
Kane Elgey gets his second. The Titans shift the ball out to the right hand side of the field, as James Roberts uses his speed to find a break, before quick hands from Moseley puts Elgey in under the posts.

63: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
With a much easier kick, Sezer converts the try and extends the Titans' lead.

64: Johnathan Wright backs into three Titans defenders, but loses the ball in the tackle. It was a solid tackle, but he should have held that one.

65: The Titans heavy on attack again, only ten metres out from the Warriors' line.

65: The Warriors get penalised for a hand on the ball in the tackle, and the Titans will get a new set in attack.

66: Moseley crosses the line, but is pushed back into the field of play.

67: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Ryan James. Kick to come.
The Titans spread it left now, and Ryan James crashes over on the left of the field to get a four pointer. The Warriors are out on their feet now.

68: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer converts the try, and the Titans lead by 14.

70: Johnson chips over the top on the last, but William Zillman makes a mess of it. The Warriors will get the scrum feed from the Titans' ten metre line.

70: Matulino straightens the attack, before offloading, but they're tackled after only advancing a metre.

70: Townsend attempts a long right-to-left pass - Roberts almost intercepts it, but knocks it on.

72: We're just checking a potential try to the Warriors, as they kicked high for Manu Vatuvei. Townsend's kick was a good one - Manu batted the ball back and Solomone Kata picked it off and planted it down.

72: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Solomone Kata. Kick to come.
And it's a try. Solomone Kata gets his 6th try of the season.

72: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
Johnson misses the conversion, and the Warriors still trail by 10.

76: Penalty to the Warriors. Townsend taps and runs.

76: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Bodene Thompson. Kick to come.
Shaun Johnson throws a little 'round the corner pass to Bodene Thompson, who scores just to the right of the post.

77: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Johnson adds the extras, but is there enough time left for the Warriors to jag a win?

79: The Warriors run deep within the Titans half, before kicking high to Anthony Don. Don takes the ball easily, and saves the game for his side.

79: Less than a minute left. The Titans just running the clock down now.

80: The Warriors try a last ditch effort, but send the ball forward on the last. The Titans hang on to win 32-28. Check back for our match report in a few minutes.

Match Details

Warriors 28 Gold Coast Titans 32
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
Crowd: 15102
Halftime Score: Warriors 18 Gold Coast Titans 12

WARRIORS (28)
Tries: David Fusitua, Ben Matulino, Jonathan Wright, Solomone Kata, Bodene Thompson
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (4/5)
Penalty Goals:

GOLD COAST TITANS (32)
Tries: Kane Elgey (2), Anthony Don, Kierran Moseley, James Roberts, Ryan James
Field Goals:
Conversions: Aidan Sezer (4/6)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Kane Elgey
2 points - James Roberts
1 point - Anthony Don

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to a sunny Mt Smart Stadium this ANZAC day for the clash between the Warriors and the Titans.

The Warriors will play 1-17 as named on Tuesday, with Dominique Peyroux the man to miss out from the extended interchange bench. Sam Rapira will make his first appearance for 2015 in jersey #17, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner will make his debut from the interchange bench.

For the away side, they will play 1-17 as named on Tuesday, with Mark Ioane dropping off the extended bench. They are, of course, without Dave Taylor, who is suspended for a high tackle until round 9.


Kick off shortly at Mt Smart Stadium. We've had some rousing ANZAC tributes, and we're just hearing both nations' national anthems.

We're underway, the Titans kick off and the Warriors have first use of the football.

On the last, the Warriors kick high and Mead takes the spiralling bomb and spills it, but luckily it travels backwards.

1: A few plays later the Titans drop the ball cold in the tackle, and the Warriors will get the first real attacking set of the game, only 20m out.

1: Lolohea crashes over the line on the 3rd, but is held up.

2: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by David Fusitua. Kick to come.
And on the next play, the Warriors shift the ball to the right of the field, run two block plays in a row, and then David Fusitua muscles his way over in the corner. Great strength shown there.

3: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson lines up for the conversion attempt from the far right of the field, and makes easy work of it.

5: The Titans get us back underway, and off the kickoff Lolohea steps three men and makes a half break before being dragged down by the defence.

5: The Warriors are making great metres up the middle so far. Townsend puts a high kick up again on the last, but Hoffman is up to the task and takes it nicely.

6: The Titans are forced to kick from within their own half of the field, and the Warriors make it almost back to halfway by the second tackle.

7: The Warriors kick high again for Mead's corner - there's an obvious plan to target that side of the field on the last. The Warriors get a penalty, despite protests from the Titans, and will attack from 15 metres out.

7: And yet another penalty to the Warriors, this time for a hand on the ball from the Titans.

8: We're going to the video referee for a possible try to Ryan Hoffman. A great flat ball from Townsend hits a rampaging Ryan Hoffman, who crashes over the line, but the referee thinks he's held up.

8: The video referee agrees with the on field referee, and its no try.

8: The Warriors go to the blind side, to Manu Vatuvei with a full head of steam, but Vatuvei drops the ball before the defensive line. Huge let off for the Titans.

9: More relief for the Titans, as the Warriors are penalised. Big help for the Titans there, as they've struggled to get out of their own end of the field so far.

10: The Titans get inside the Warriors' ten metres for the first time today, but there's a lot of sideways movement with not a lot of penetration.

11: Another mistake from big Manu - his hands have really let him down so far today.

11: Ryan James very slow to get back to his feet after that tackle. He plays the ball and goes right back on his haunches.

12: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kane Elgey. Kick to come.
Just left of the posts, Kane Elgey runs onto a short ball from Ryan James under heavy traffic, and dives over for a try. Good stuff for the Titans, who have only been down this end of the field for a few minutes.

13: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer makes no mistake with the conversion.

15: Forward pass from the Titans, and the Warriors will get the scrum feed 20 metres out from the Titans line.

15: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Ben Matulino. Kick to come.
A brilliant run around play, and fantastic pass from Thomas Leuluai sees Ben Matulino cross just left of the posts. The Warriors are back in front.

17: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson makes it 12-6.

19: Elgey kicks high on the last - it hangs and moves a little in the breeze, but Lolohea has no trouble catching it.

20: The Titans are penalised again, this time for holding onto an ankle for too long after the tackle. Greg Bird gets out of the ruck limping a bit.

21: The Warriors are heavy on attack on the last. Johnson kicks across field, and Kata dives on the ball, but we are going to check it with the video referee.

21: The on field referee thinks its no try, and the video referee agrees. It's no try, and the Titans will get the ball.

21: James Roberts runs across field, before throwing a speculative pass to Ryan James out wide. The Titans make 20 metres from that run. On the last the Titans grubber into the in goal, but it dribbles dead.

24: The Warriors try a runaround play on the left side of the field, but Manu Vatuvei was too flat and the pass went out over the sideline. The Titans will get the scrum feed on their own 10 metre line.

26: The referee called held in that tackle, but one of the Warriors players didn't care and stripped the ball anyway. The Titans get the penalty.

28: The Warriors kick deep to William Zillman at fullback, and Zillman spills the ball, but the Warriors get penalised. Lucky for Zillman.

29: The Titans attack down the right side of the field. Kane Elgey puts a kick into the in goal looking for Zillman, but the Warriors clean it up and are forced into a line dropout.

29: A massive dummy from Elgey before he switches direction and sends it out to James Roberts. Manu comes flying in, and poor Roberts gets belted.

30: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Anthony Don. Kick to come.
And on the next play, Elgey heads to the left of field, and throws a two man cutout ball to hit Don on the wing, who dives to dot down in the corner. The Titans hit back.

31: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Aidan Sezer, from the sideline, adds the extras.

33: The Titans go down the left of the field now, with some fancy passing, but the ball goes to ground. It would have been a great try had it stuck.

33: The Titans are making some good ground at the moment thanks to their smaller men run around the ruck.

36: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Jonathan Wright. Kick to come.
And so are the Warriors. Friend darts out of dummy half and runs straight, finding a big gap, before passing to Jonathan Wright, who scores just left of the posts.

38: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
As is to be expected, Shaun Johnson converts the try, and the Warriors will most likely go to the break leading 18-12.

38: Just as a bit of an injury update, Thomas Leuluai is off the field after copping a head knock.

38: Johnson finds a big gap now, slicing right between two defenders. Zillman runs him down, but Johnson loses the ball in the tackle.

39: We're packing a scrum on the Titans' 30 metre line, but there's less than 60 seconds left on the clock.

39: Pettybourne runs forward, but loses the ball in the tackle. The Warriors rush to pack a scrum, with just under 20 seconds to go.

40: And that's half time. It's been a back and forth kind of game, with the Warriors scoring, and then the Titans hitting back minutes later, but the Warriors will go to the break leading 18-12.

40: Back underway in the second half. The Titans run the ball out from their own end after the kickoff.

40: Big break down the left side of the field by Anthony Don, but he's wrapped up by the Warriors defence.

43: The Titans kick the ball dead, and Lolohea sprints it away from his 20 metre line after the tap.

43: Sam Lisone brushes off a couple of tackles in a powerful display.

45: David Mead takes a bomb in his in goal, takes the tap, and runs 80 metres. Lolohea comes across and cleans him up just 2 metres from the tryline, and Mead is taken over the sideline. Brilliant work from the Warriors' fullback.

46: Ryan Hoffman is on the ground in all sorts after being wrapped up by Greg Bird in a tackle that unfortunately went high. No intent from Bird there, but Hoffman will have to leave the field after being knocked unconscious. The tackle is placed on report.

47: The Warriors attack the right edge, before sending it back to the left. On the last Johnson kicks high again, but Manu Vatuvei knocks the ball forward and the Titans get some relief.

48: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kierran Moseley. Kick to come.
The Titans look like they are doing absolutely nothing with the ball in hand, until Kierran Moseley darts from dummy half and runs straight into a gap to score. The Warriors defence just held off him in what was a bizarre passage of play.

48: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer unsuccessful.
Sezer sets the kick up from the left side of the field, but pushes it left of the posts.

51: We're just checking with the video referee, but it looks like James Roberts has picked up yet another try. The Titans kicked high through Aidan Sezer, and Ryan James bats the ball back to Kierran Moseley, who then passes to a flying James Roberts. We're just checking for a knock on.

51: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by James Roberts. Kick to come.
And it's a try! Ben Roberts gets his ninth try for the season, and the Titans lead for the first time in the game.

52: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer unsuccessful.
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer is unsuccessful - the Titans lead remains at 2 points.

57: The Titans well on top at the moment, although their attack is still a little scrappy.

57: The Titans kick high again on the last, but Manu Vatuvei storms n and cleans it up, before getting back to his feet and running another 5 metres.

58: Greg Bird is again penalised for a dangerous tackle, but to my eyes it was just a good tackle. He hit Townsend low, and took his legs clean out from underneath him.

58: Friend hits Rapira short, and big Sam goes very close to the line. He then milks a penalty, as the Titans lay too long on the ruck.

58: Friend hits Rapira short again, before wrapping around him and almost scoring a try. Last play for the Warriors, and they make a mess of it. Kane Elgey cleans up.

59: The Titans kick on the fourth, but it finds Jonathan Wright under no pressure at all.

61: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kane Elgey. Kick to come.
Kane Elgey gets his second. The Titans shift the ball out to the right hand side of the field, as James Roberts uses his speed to find a break, before quick hands from Moseley puts Elgey in under the posts.

63: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
With a much easier kick, Sezer converts the try and extends the Titans' lead.

64: Johnathan Wright backs into three Titans defenders, but loses the ball in the tackle. It was a solid tackle, but he should have held that one.

65: The Titans heavy on attack again, only ten metres out from the Warriors' line.

65: The Warriors get penalised for a hand on the ball in the tackle, and the Titans will get a new set in attack.

66: Moseley crosses the line, but is pushed back into the field of play.

67: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Ryan James. Kick to come.
The Titans spread it left now, and Ryan James crashes over on the left of the field to get a four pointer. The Warriors are out on their feet now.

68: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer converts the try, and the Titans lead by 14.

70: Johnson chips over the top on the last, but William Zillman makes a mess of it. The Warriors will get the scrum feed from the Titans' ten metre line.

70: Matulino straightens the attack, before offloading, but they're tackled after only advancing a metre.

70: Townsend attempts a long right-to-left pass - Roberts almost intercepts it, but knocks it on.

72: We're just checking a potential try to the Warriors, as they kicked high for Manu Vatuvei. Townsend's kick was a good one - Manu batted the ball back and Solomone Kata picked it off and planted it down.

72: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Solomone Kata. Kick to come.
And it's a try. Solomone Kata gets his 6th try of the season.

72: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
Johnson misses the conversion, and the Warriors still trail by 10.

76: Penalty to the Warriors. Townsend taps and runs.

76: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Bodene Thompson. Kick to come.
Shaun Johnson throws a little 'round the corner pass to Bodene Thompson, who scores just to the right of the post.

77: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Johnson adds the extras, but is there enough time left for the Warriors to jag a win?

79: The Warriors run deep within the Titans half, before kicking high to Anthony Don. Don takes the ball easily, and saves the game for his side.

79: Less than a minute left. The Titans just running the clock down now.

80: The Warriors try a last ditch effort, but send the ball forward on the last. The Titans hang on to win 32-28. Check back for our match report in a few minutes.

Match Details

Warriors 28 Gold Coast Titans 32
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
Crowd: 15102
Halftime Score: Warriors 18 Gold Coast Titans 12

WARRIORS (28)
Tries: David Fusitua, Ben Matulino, Jonathan Wright, Solomone Kata, Bodene Thompson
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (4/5)
Penalty Goals:

GOLD COAST TITANS (32)
Tries: Kane Elgey (2), Anthony Don, Kierran Moseley, James Roberts, Ryan James
Field Goals:
Conversions: Aidan Sezer (4/6)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Kane Elgey
2 points - James Roberts
1 point - Anthony Don

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to a sunny Mt Smart Stadium this ANZAC day for the clash between the Warriors and the Titans.

The Warriors will play 1-17 as named on Tuesday, with Dominique Peyroux the man to miss out from the extended interchange bench. Sam Rapira will make his first appearance for 2015 in jersey #17, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner will make his debut from the interchange bench.

For the away side, they will play 1-17 as named on Tuesday, with Mark Ioane dropping off the extended bench. They are, of course, without Dave Taylor, who is suspended for a high tackle until round 9.


Kick off shortly at Mt Smart Stadium. We've had some rousing ANZAC tributes, and we're just hearing both nations' national anthems.

We're underway, the Titans kick off and the Warriors have first use of the football.

On the last, the Warriors kick high and Mead takes the spiralling bomb and spills it, but luckily it travels backwards.

1: A few plays later the Titans drop the ball cold in the tackle, and the Warriors will get the first real attacking set of the game, only 20m out.

1: Lolohea crashes over the line on the 3rd, but is held up.

2: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by David Fusitua. Kick to come.
And on the next play, the Warriors shift the ball to the right of the field, run two block plays in a row, and then David Fusitua muscles his way over in the corner. Great strength shown there.

3: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson lines up for the conversion attempt from the far right of the field, and makes easy work of it.

5: The Titans get us back underway, and off the kickoff Lolohea steps three men and makes a half break before being dragged down by the defence.

5: The Warriors are making great metres up the middle so far. Townsend puts a high kick up again on the last, but Hoffman is up to the task and takes it nicely.

6: The Titans are forced to kick from within their own half of the field, and the Warriors make it almost back to halfway by the second tackle.

7: The Warriors kick high again for Mead's corner - there's an obvious plan to target that side of the field on the last. The Warriors get a penalty, despite protests from the Titans, and will attack from 15 metres out.

7: And yet another penalty to the Warriors, this time for a hand on the ball from the Titans.

8: We're going to the video referee for a possible try to Ryan Hoffman. A great flat ball from Townsend hits a rampaging Ryan Hoffman, who crashes over the line, but the referee thinks he's held up.

8: The video referee agrees with the on field referee, and its no try.

8: The Warriors go to the blind side, to Manu Vatuvei with a full head of steam, but Vatuvei drops the ball before the defensive line. Huge let off for the Titans.

9: More relief for the Titans, as the Warriors are penalised. Big help for the Titans there, as they've struggled to get out of their own end of the field so far.

10: The Titans get inside the Warriors' ten metres for the first time today, but there's a lot of sideways movement with not a lot of penetration.

11: Another mistake from big Manu - his hands have really let him down so far today.

11: Ryan James very slow to get back to his feet after that tackle. He plays the ball and goes right back on his haunches.

12: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kane Elgey. Kick to come.
Just left of the posts, Kane Elgey runs onto a short ball from Ryan James under heavy traffic, and dives over for a try. Good stuff for the Titans, who have only been down this end of the field for a few minutes.

13: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer makes no mistake with the conversion.

15: Forward pass from the Titans, and the Warriors will get the scrum feed 20 metres out from the Titans line.

15: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Ben Matulino. Kick to come.
A brilliant run around play, and fantastic pass from Thomas Leuluai sees Ben Matulino cross just left of the posts. The Warriors are back in front.

17: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson makes it 12-6.

19: Elgey kicks high on the last - it hangs and moves a little in the breeze, but Lolohea has no trouble catching it.

20: The Titans are penalised again, this time for holding onto an ankle for too long after the tackle. Greg Bird gets out of the ruck limping a bit.

21: The Warriors are heavy on attack on the last. Johnson kicks across field, and Kata dives on the ball, but we are going to check it with the video referee.

21: The on field referee thinks its no try, and the video referee agrees. It's no try, and the Titans will get the ball.

21: James Roberts runs across field, before throwing a speculative pass to Ryan James out wide. The Titans make 20 metres from that run. On the last the Titans grubber into the in goal, but it dribbles dead.

24: The Warriors try a runaround play on the left side of the field, but Manu Vatuvei was too flat and the pass went out over the sideline. The Titans will get the scrum feed on their own 10 metre line.

26: The referee called held in that tackle, but one of the Warriors players didn't care and stripped the ball anyway. The Titans get the penalty.

28: The Warriors kick deep to William Zillman at fullback, and Zillman spills the ball, but the Warriors get penalised. Lucky for Zillman.

29: The Titans attack down the right side of the field. Kane Elgey puts a kick into the in goal looking for Zillman, but the Warriors clean it up and are forced into a line dropout.

29: A massive dummy from Elgey before he switches direction and sends it out to James Roberts. Manu comes flying in, and poor Roberts gets belted.

30: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Anthony Don. Kick to come.
And on the next play, Elgey heads to the left of field, and throws a two man cutout ball to hit Don on the wing, who dives to dot down in the corner. The Titans hit back.

31: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Aidan Sezer, from the sideline, adds the extras.

33: The Titans go down the left of the field now, with some fancy passing, but the ball goes to ground. It would have been a great try had it stuck.

33: The Titans are making some good ground at the moment thanks to their smaller men run around the ruck.

36: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Jonathan Wright. Kick to come.
And so are the Warriors. Friend darts out of dummy half and runs straight, finding a big gap, before passing to Jonathan Wright, who scores just left of the posts.

38: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
As is to be expected, Shaun Johnson converts the try, and the Warriors will most likely go to the break leading 18-12.

38: Just as a bit of an injury update, Thomas Leuluai is off the field after copping a head knock.

38: Johnson finds a big gap now, slicing right between two defenders. Zillman runs him down, but Johnson loses the ball in the tackle.

39: We're packing a scrum on the Titans' 30 metre line, but there's less than 60 seconds left on the clock.

39: Pettybourne runs forward, but loses the ball in the tackle. The Warriors rush to pack a scrum, with just under 20 seconds to go.

40: And that's half time. It's been a back and forth kind of game, with the Warriors scoring, and then the Titans hitting back minutes later, but the Warriors will go to the break leading 18-12.

40: Back underway in the second half. The Titans run the ball out from their own end after the kickoff.

40: Big break down the left side of the field by Anthony Don, but he's wrapped up by the Warriors defence.

43: The Titans kick the ball dead, and Lolohea sprints it away from his 20 metre line after the tap.

43: Sam Lisone brushes off a couple of tackles in a powerful display.

45: David Mead takes a bomb in his in goal, takes the tap, and runs 80 metres. Lolohea comes across and cleans him up just 2 metres from the tryline, and Mead is taken over the sideline. Brilliant work from the Warriors' fullback.

46: Ryan Hoffman is on the ground in all sorts after being wrapped up by Greg Bird in a tackle that unfortunately went high. No intent from Bird there, but Hoffman will have to leave the field after being knocked unconscious. The tackle is placed on report.

47: The Warriors attack the right edge, before sending it back to the left. On the last Johnson kicks high again, but Manu Vatuvei knocks the ball forward and the Titans get some relief.

48: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kierran Moseley. Kick to come.
The Titans look like they are doing absolutely nothing with the ball in hand, until Kierran Moseley darts from dummy half and runs straight into a gap to score. The Warriors defence just held off him in what was a bizarre passage of play.

48: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer unsuccessful.
Sezer sets the kick up from the left side of the field, but pushes it left of the posts.

51: We're just checking with the video referee, but it looks like James Roberts has picked up yet another try. The Titans kicked high through Aidan Sezer, and Ryan James bats the ball back to Kierran Moseley, who then passes to a flying James Roberts. We're just checking for a knock on.

51: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by James Roberts. Kick to come.
And it's a try! Ben Roberts gets his ninth try for the season, and the Titans lead for the first time in the game.

52: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer unsuccessful.
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer is unsuccessful - the Titans lead remains at 2 points.

57: The Titans well on top at the moment, although their attack is still a little scrappy.

57: The Titans kick high again on the last, but Manu Vatuvei storms n and cleans it up, before getting back to his feet and running another 5 metres.

58: Greg Bird is again penalised for a dangerous tackle, but to my eyes it was just a good tackle. He hit Townsend low, and took his legs clean out from underneath him.

58: Friend hits Rapira short, and big Sam goes very close to the line. He then milks a penalty, as the Titans lay too long on the ruck.

58: Friend hits Rapira short again, before wrapping around him and almost scoring a try. Last play for the Warriors, and they make a mess of it. Kane Elgey cleans up.

59: The Titans kick on the fourth, but it finds Jonathan Wright under no pressure at all.

61: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Kane Elgey. Kick to come.
Kane Elgey gets his second. The Titans shift the ball out to the right hand side of the field, as James Roberts uses his speed to find a break, before quick hands from Moseley puts Elgey in under the posts.

63: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
With a much easier kick, Sezer converts the try and extends the Titans' lead.

64: Johnathan Wright backs into three Titans defenders, but loses the ball in the tackle. It was a solid tackle, but he should have held that one.

65: The Titans heavy on attack again, only ten metres out from the Warriors' line.

65: The Warriors get penalised for a hand on the ball in the tackle, and the Titans will get a new set in attack.

66: Moseley crosses the line, but is pushed back into the field of play.

67: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Ryan James. Kick to come.
The Titans spread it left now, and Ryan James crashes over on the left of the field to get a four pointer. The Warriors are out on their feet now.

68: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer converts the try, and the Titans lead by 14.

70: Johnson chips over the top on the last, but William Zillman makes a mess of it. The Warriors will get the scrum feed from the Titans' ten metre line.

70: Matulino straightens the attack, before offloading, but they're tackled after only advancing a metre.

70: Townsend attempts a long right-to-left pass - Roberts almost intercepts it, but knocks it on.

72: We're just checking a potential try to the Warriors, as they kicked high for Manu Vatuvei. Townsend's kick was a good one - Manu batted the ball back and Solomone Kata picked it off and planted it down.

72: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Solomone Kata. Kick to come.
And it's a try. Solomone Kata gets his 6th try of the season.

72: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
Johnson misses the conversion, and the Warriors still trail by 10.

76: Penalty to the Warriors. Townsend taps and runs.

76: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Bodene Thompson. Kick to come.
Shaun Johnson throws a little 'round the corner pass to Bodene Thompson, who scores just to the right of the post.

77: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Johnson adds the extras, but is there enough time left for the Warriors to jag a win?

79: The Warriors run deep within the Titans half, before kicking high to Anthony Don. Don takes the ball easily, and saves the game for his side.

79: Less than a minute left. The Titans just running the clock down now.

80: The Warriors try a last ditch effort, but send the ball forward on the last. The Titans hang on to win 32-28. Check back for our match report in a few minutes.

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