ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 18 GOLD COAST TITANS 38
IAN HOWE, St George Venues Jubilee Stadium, Sunday

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA took another step towards a first-ever wooden spoon as they were denied only a third win of the season.

This was the battle of the two bottom teams in the NRL, although the Titans’ win promoted them from 16th place to 13th in the ladder.

It was Clint Gutherson’s 250th career game and he led out the Dragons with his family, while, when the game started, he created the opening try for Tyrell Sloan.

However, that was as good as it got for the Dragons, as Gold Coast, playing much better than their league position would suggest, replied with tries by Phillip Sami, who will join the Dragons next season, and two by Jaylan De Groot.

The Dragons responded before the break with a try by Kyle Flanagan before Jayden Campbell kicked a late penalty – one of his seven goals – for offside to give the Titans a six-point cushion.

And they extended that lead to 20 points on threequarter time with tries by hooker Oliver Pascoe and Campbell, before Jacob Liddle grabbed a try for the Dragons.

But the Titans sealed victory with their sixth try by Tino Fa’asuamaleaui as they jumped ahead of the Broncos, Eels and Tigers in the NRL ladder.

DRAGONS: 1 Clint Gutherson, 2 Setu Tu, 3 Mat Feagai, 4 Valentine Holmes, 5 Tyrell Sloan, 6 Daniel Atkinson, 7 Kyle Flanagan, 8 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Toby Couchman, 11 Dylan Egan, 12 Hamish Stewart, 13 Ryan Couchman. Subs: 14 Jacob Liddle, 15 Luciano Leilua (not used), 16 Josh Kerr, 17 Jacob Halangahu, 19 Lyhkan King-Togia, 20 Emre Guler (not used)

Tries: Sloan (7), Flanagan (33), Liddle (69); Goals: Holmes 3/3

TITANS: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Dean Ieremia, 3 Jojo Fifita, 4 Jaylan De Groot, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Jayden Campbell, 7 Zane Harrison, 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Oliver Pascoe, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11 Arama Hau, 12 Beau Fermor, 13 Chris Randall. Subs: 15 Josh Patston, 16 Klese Haas, 17 Cooper Bai, 18 Sam Verrills, 19 Lachlan Ilias (not used), 21 Siale Faramani (not used)

Tries: Sami (10), De Groot (14, 26), Pascoe (58), Campbell (62), Fa’asuamaleaui (72); Goals: Campbell 7/8

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-4, 6-10, 6-16, 12-16, 12-18; 12-20, 12-26, 12-32, 18-32, 18-38

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Dragons: Ryan Couchman; Titans: Keano Kini

Penalty count: 2-3; Half-time: 12-18; Referee: Todd Smith; Attendance: 9,031