Titans run riot over Parramatta - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Titans run riot over Parramatta

By Laine Clark 06/08/2010 11:09:21 PM Comments (0)

A high shot on Scott Prince sparked a stunning 34-12 comeback win to the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night that may have also knocked the Eels' NRL finals hopes on the head.

A groggy Prince picked himself up from the turf after a 46th minute hit that landed Ben Smith on report - then inspired the Titans to do the same after they trailed 12-0 at halftime.

The "Hayne Plane" appeared to have reset his co-ordinates to the NRL finals judging by his blistering first half performance.

However, Eels No.1 Jarryd Hayne had the limelight ripped away by Prince as the Titans piled on six unanswered second-half tries to put Parramatta at serious risk of missing the top eight in 2010.

But Prince may find it hard to remember all the details of their third straight win after wearing Smith's elbow early in the second half as he launched a kick.

"It (high shot) sort of got me into the game," Prince smiled.

But Titans coach John Cartwright couldn't see the funny side of either Smith's hit or a 52nd minute swinging arm on Mat Rogers that also left Fuifui Moimoi on report.

Especially after he was told Eels coach Dan Anderson had complained post-match about the Titans getting away with "about four" high shots on Hayne in the first half.

"There was genuine pressure (from the Titans) but no malice - I think there were a couple with a bit of intent (from the Eels)," Cartwright said.

At least Anderson could agree with the Titans on one thing - the penalties that resulted from the high shots were "crucial".

"(But) Scott Prince is a quality player, he threaded the needle and the ball seemed to come down in Titans hands every time," Cartwright said.

In fact, Anderson conceded he had never seen a team enjoy such fortune in 40 minutes of NRL football.

"I just thought in the second half it was like Groundhog Day - we just couldn't get the ball at all," he said.

"Every bounce, break, call and 50-50 play went the Titans' way."

The Gold Coast may soar as high as fourth thanks to their third straight win, but the forecast isn't as rosy for the team that dumped them out of the 2009 finals.

Following their second straight loss, the Eels look like they will have to win all four of their remaining regular season games to book a finals berth.

Easier said than done with a horror run home of Brisbane (away), Wests Tigers (home), the Rabbitohs (away) and the Warriors (home).

"I don't think we are gone, but we are backs against the wall," Anderson said.

Cartwright said he had never seen a better second half performance from the Titans.

"It all came together," he said.

It certainly did. By the 55th minute Prince had helped Gold Coast lock up the scores at 12-12 with hands in tries to Rogers (46th minute) and flying winger Kevin Gordon (55th).

Then video referee Sean Hampstead gave the green light to Bodene Thompson (60th) after he cleaned up a Prince kick.

Incredibly it was 28-12 against a shellshocked Eels after Mark Minichiello (66th) muscled his way over and Ash Harrison (72nd) snaffled up a Preston Campbell grubber.

Thompson sealed the comeback when he scored his second from a kick by - you guessed it - Prince.

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