DOLPHINS 18 GOLD COAST TITANS 14
IAN HOWE, Suncorp Stadium, Sunday
THE DOLPHINS gained the first NRL victory of the season by a Queensland club – and it was against state rivals Gold Coast, in a game that was played by two clubs that looked nervous after opening-round defeats.
In front of a disappointing derby crowd, the Titans held an eight-point lead at the break through an early penalty kicked by Lachlan Ilias and a try by Jojo Fifita, which came off the back of a Dolphins error from Connelly Lemuelu.
In the second half they increased their lead to 14 points with a Cooper Bai try before the Dolphins replied through Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, whose try came from a short goal-line dropout by the Titans.
That was when the tide turned and the Dolphins scored two entertaining tries from Jake Averillo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to win the game.
Former St Helens star Morgan Knowles had a disappointing game, giving away several penalties and set restarts and being pulled off the field after 31 minutes, to be replaced by Ray Stone, although returning in the 59th minute to replace Felise Kaufusi, before being replaced again by Stone with less than two minutes remaining.
DOLPHINS: 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Jake Averillo, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Selwyn Cobbo, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 7 Isaiya Katoa, 8 Tom Gilbert, 14 Max Plath, 10 Tom Flegler, 11 Connelly Lemuelu, 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13 Morgan Knowles. Subs: 9 Brad Schneider, 15 Oryn Keeley, 16 Felise Kaufusi, 17 Ray Stone, 18 Trai Fuller (not used), 22 Brian Pouniu (not used)
Tries: Finefeuiaki (53), Averillo (68), Tabuai-Fidow (73); Goals: Isaako 3/3
TITANS: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Sialetili Faeamani, 3 Jojo Fifita, 4 Max Feagai, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Lachlan Ilias, 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Sam Verrills, 10 Tino Fa’suamaleaui, 11 Arama Hau, 12 Beau Fermor, 13 Chris Randall. Subs: 14 Kurtis Morrin, 15 Tukimihia Simpkins (not used), 16 Klese Haas, 17 Cooper Bai, 18 Luke Sommerton, 21 Jensen Taumoepeau (not used)
Tries: Fifita (34), Bai (45); Goals: Ilias 3/3
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-2, 0-8; 0-14, 6-14, 12-14, 18-14
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow; Titans: Beau Fermor
Penalty count: 5-4; Half-time: 0-8; Referee: Liam Kennedy; Attendance: 16,073