Derby delight for Titans with upset win over Broncos
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The Titans became just the second team in the history of the NRLW to beat Brisbane, coming away with a 28-26 win in an epic local derby at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
Not since round three, 2019 have the defending champions tasted defeat but Jamie Feeney's Titans dug deep to produce a massive upset.
The Titans made the perfect start when a 40-30 kick by Cobie-Jane Morgan giving them the field position for Steph Hancock to power across for a try in just the fourth minute.
Three minutes later the Titans had a second when Hailee-Jay Maunsell exploded down the left wing and found Evania Pelite, whose involvement was limited to just 59 minutes after suffering a syndesmosis injury, in support to make it 12-0.
The Broncos found their groove in the 13th minute when Hagiga Mosby finished off a left side raid which featured Kaitlyn Phillips and Amy Turner.
Broncos prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi was the next to score off a neat pass from hooker Lauren Brown and the Titans' lead was cut to two points.
Mosby gets the Broncos on the scoreboard
The Titans broke clear again through Shania Power in the 27th minute before Phillips pulled one back for the Broncos to make it 18-16.
Remarkably the Broncos hit the lead with seconds remaining in the first half when Ali Brigginshaw put the ball on a platter for Shenae Ciesiolka to score and the champs led 20-18.
The ebbs and flows continued early in the second half when Karina Brown found 19-year-old Jasmine Peters and the youngster dotted down to make it 22-20 to the home side.
Hancock crashes over
Tarryn Aiken put the Broncos back in front 10 minutes later before Peters' second try levelled the scores at 26-26.
A penalty against Sara Sautia for a strip handed Brianna Clark the chance to put the Ttans in front and the front-rower delivered with an ice cool kick to make it 28-26.
Match: Titans v Broncos
Round 4 -
home Team
Titans
4th Position
away Team
Broncos
2nd Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match Snapshot
- The only other team to beat the Broncos in NRLW history was the Warriors (10-8) in round three, 2019.
- Broncos winger Hagiga Mosby continued her fine debut season by scoring a try for the third consecutive week.
- Evania Pelite relised her switch from fullback to the centres for Gold Coast, running for 114 metres and having four tackle breaks.
- The tally of 54 points was the most ever scored in an NRLW match.
- Apart from her try double, Jasmine Peters had three line breaks and five tackle breaks for the Titans.
- Roxette Murdoch led the way up front for Brisbane with 116 metres from 12 runs and four tackle breaks.
Play of the Game
Shaniah Power turns 25 on Sunday and she grabbed an early birthday present with a barnstorming try late in the opening half. Taking the ball 15 metres out from the tryline, Power disposed of four Broncos defenders and crashed into the goalpost padding before slamming the ball down to grab her team's third try. Power finished the day with seven tackle breaks and 137 run metres.
An outrageous try from Power
What They Said
"It's a great win; the first ever home game here in front of the men, in front of our community, and we fought really hard for that one. Anyone that is a member who had never watched a women's game - and even with the Broncos and how hard they fought - I think we have won a few over today,": Titans coach Jamie Feeney.
"I felt the organisational skills of Tamika Upton at fullback organising our defensive line was probably really missed and Millie's work ethic through the middle but we can't rely on those players all the time either. We didn't play to our potential at all and I don't think we have ever played like we did today. I don't use the word complacency, we really respect all of our opposition when we go into games,": Broncos coach Kelvin Wright.
NRLW Press Conference: Titans v Broncos - Round 4, 2021
What's Next
The Titans and Broncos will feature in a double-header at the home of Queensland rugby league, Suncorp Stadium, on Sunday.
First up is the clash between the Titans and Knights at 12.00pm (AEDT) and that is followed the Broncos looking to retain their unbeaten record when they host the Parramatta Eels at 1.45pm (AEDT).
Star fullback Tamika Upton is a chance to return for Brisbane after missing the Titans game due to a head knock.
