The Gold Coast Titans have pipped the Rabbitohs 14-12 in the NYC (under 20s) fixture at a wet and windswept North Sydney Oval this afternoon (Saturday).
In an evenly-matched affair played in torrid conditions, two tries to Jamel Hunt weren’t enough for the men in Red and Green, with a penalty-goal ultimately proving the difference.
After 15 minutes, it would be the Titans who would go in first through front rower Simione Fatafehi – the big man crashing over from short-range before Brian Kelly added the extras to make it 6-0.
But despite the Titans taking the points, it was the Rabbitohs who looked to have all the ascendency, with the side looking likely to score on three separate occasions.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, the rain began to come down in bucket-loads, but that didn’t alter the type of expansive style of play on display at the historic ground – if anything, the opposite was the case. The Rabbitohs became more adventurous with a combination of offloads, cut-out passes and kicks all serving to show Souths’ intent.
But conditions would again take a turn for the worse with the men in Red and Green applying sustained pressure on the Titans.
Just before half-time, the Rabbitohs finally got on the board despite the turn of weather through a barnstorming Jamel Hunt. Chad O’Donnell converted from right in front to take the teams to the sheds at six apiece.
On the resumption, the Rabbitohs forced a Titans error on their own line following a strong kick from Liam Coleman, and from the ensuing set, Hunt crashed over for his second of the afternoon in similar fashion to his first. O’Donnell converted to take the lead 12-6.
Brian Kelly hit back for the Titans not long afterwards though when the Rabbitohs made a mistake of their own on their try-line – Kelly there to pick up the crumbs before Josh Rogers converted from the side-line to square the ledger again at 12 apiece.
A penalty-goal to the Titans’ Josh Rogers with the clock winding down saw the Titans take the lead at 14-12 to round out the match,
Titans 14 (Simione Fatafehi, Brian Kelly, tries; Brian Kelly 1, Josh Rogers 2 goals)
Defeated
Rabbitohs 12 (Jamel Hunt 2, tries; Chad O’Donnell 2 goals)
