Titans pip Sharks in the Shire

James Roberts snatched an intercept with two minutes to go, allowing the Gold Coast Titans to open their account for the season 24-22 in front of 9,556 fans at Remondis Stadium.

Heading into this clash, both sides were under severe pressure to get their season up and running and towards the end of the game it seemed as though both sides had forgotten how to win a game of football.

The loss sees Cronulla notch up their 10th successive loss at home and they now face a mammoth task to play finals football this season. While the effort from the Sharks was there, it was the amount of chances they blew which will most disappoint coach Stuart Flanagan.

Cronulla were given plenty of motivation from the start with veteran forward Chris Heighington playing NRL game 250, however they were on the back foot after Dave Taylor powered over for a scrappy try to open the scoring.

The Sharks hit back in the 30th minute when excitement machine Valentine Holmes scored the first of his two off a deflected kick by Gerard Beale.

Michael Ennis then scored his first try in Sharks colours, after Paul Gallen sent Gordon slicing through the Titans defence with a beautiful inside ball.

Leading 14-6 at halftime it seemed the Sharks were in control of the match until James Roberts pounced on a grubber which was left by Gordon to make it 14-12 to the Sharks.

Valentine Holmes then scored another four pointer off a pin point cross field kick from Robson to hand control back to the Sharks.

The Titans then hit back when Nate Myles sent rookie Agnatius Paasi over with a superb short ball.

With the game in the balance both teams made poorly timed errors, but it was Cronulla who really failed to ice the game which culminated in Roberts racing away to derail their season in heartbreaking fashion.

It doesn't get easier for the Shire boys, they're set for a showdown next Sunday against the Roosters at Allianz, while the Titans will take their winning momentum into the SEQ derby against Brisbane next Friday night at Cbus Super Stadium.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Paul Gallen
2 points - James Roberts
1 point - Luke Douglas

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (22)
Tries: Valentine Holmes (2), Michael Ennis
Conversions: Michael Gordon (1/3)
Penalty Goals: Michael Gordon (4/4)

GOLD COAST TITANS (24)
Tries: Dave Taylor, James Roberts (2), Agnatius Paasi
Conversions: Aidan Sezer (4/4)

Welcome to the 2nd game of Super Saturday, where the Sharks host the Titans in order for one of these teams to open their account for 2015. This game could be anything. Expect either a dour struggle or a try fest!
The Sharkies are 1-17 with a re-shuffle to the forward pack with Luke lewis and Matt Prior starting and Jason Bukuya and Anthony Tupou on the pine. The Titans have Moseley and Matt White out, with Paasi and Srama included on the bench.
Is this the battle for the spoon already in March? Big trouble for the loser in this game.

2: We are underway at Remondis Stadium

4: Penalty Sharks - Ryan James hits Lewis high right in front of the sticks. Kick to come.

4: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Penalty goal attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Sharks out to an early lead.

10: Penalty Titans - Fifita holds on too long in the tackle. Titans on the attack.

11: Wade Graham leaves the field with a head knock. On debut, Jack Bird enters the game.

14: Penalty Titans against Luke Lewis for hand on the ball. Gold Coast on the attack again.

15: Knock on James Roberts, Sharks off the hook. Titans look disjointed in attack early.

17: Dropped ball by Dave Taylor hands the ball over to the Sharks inside their own half.

21: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
David Mead makes an unforced error.
Dropped ball by Mead, gifts the Sharks with a chance 10m out from their own line.

23: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Jack Bird makes an unforced error.
The debutant Jack Bird makes an error. Golden chance for the Sharks goes begging.

25: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Dave Taylor. Kick to come.
A scrappy piece of play sees Dave Taylor crash over for a try. Ugly but the Titans are on the board.

26: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer successful, Titans 6 Sharks 2

28: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Agnatius Paasi makes an unforced error.
Paasi drops the ball. Sharks with a chance to hit back 30m out.

30: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Valentine Holmes. Kick to come.
Great try! Holmes picks up a deflected kick and scores in the corner. 6 all.

30: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon unsuccessful.
Not Gordon's greatest kick. Remains 6 All.

33: Penalty Sharks - Wade Graham back on and hit late after kicking.

33: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Penalty goal attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Makes no mistake this time. Sharks hit the lead, 8-6.

34: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Michael Ennis. Kick to come.
Gordon slices through off a great inside ball from Gallen. Ennis backing up on the inside is under the posts for his first try in Sharks colours. Sharks 12-6 kick to come.

35: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Makes no mistake. Sharks now ahead by 8

37: Sharks denied a try to Michael Gordon after Ennis deemed to have obstructed Srama.

38: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Michael Gordon makes an unforced error.
Gordon spills the ball in front of his own line. Big chance for Gold Coast before halftime.

40: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
William Zillman makes an unforced error.
Zillman spills a deflected kick, tough chance. Ordinary attack by the Titans.

40: The Sharks lead the Titans 14-6 at halftime. Cronulla have been the stronger side early, however that isn't saying much as both teams have reflected where they currently sit on the ladder. The game has been an arm wrestle, however the Titans completion rate at just 7/14 is what is letting them down. Expect the game to open up in the 2nd half.

41: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by James Roberts. Kick to come.
James Roberts scores a superb try inches from the dead ball line from a kick from debutant Elgey. Great start Titans.

41: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sharks 14 Titans 12

45: Penalty Sharks 16m out. Against Myles for hands on the ball.

47: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Valentine Holmes. Kick to come.
Holmes in for try number 2! Beautiful chip by Jeff Robson finds Holmes unmarked. Cronulla 18-12.

47: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon unsuccessful.
Gordon misses the conversion attempt.

50: Penalty Titans, markers not square. Titans make their way over halfway.

52: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
David Mead makes an unforced error.
Mead runs out of room, throws a ball to Wade Graham. Sharks ball.

54: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Luke Douglas makes an unforced error.
Douglas tries a one on one strip on Andrew Fifita but knocks on. Sharks on the attack.

54: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
David Fifita makes an unforced error.
Fifita loses control handing the ball over to the Titans. Someone hold onto it!

59: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Agnatius Paasi. Kick to come.
Agnatius Passi crosses for the Titans.

59: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer has no trouble with the conversion.

61: Anthony Don leaps above Holmes after Titans were under the pump.

62: Penalty Sharks - Beau Falloon on report after a nasty spear tackle on Jack Bird. Not good for him.

64: Penalty Sharks - some sloppy play and Gallen points to the sticks.

64: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Penalty goal attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon puts the Sharks back in the lead.

67: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Anthony Tupou makes an unforced error.
Tupou spills the ball. Can the Titans do something! Huge chance.

68: Sharks diffuse the situation and get out of trouble through Holmes.

69: Penalty Sharks. Titans holding on too long.

71: Penalty Sharks right in front of the posts. Gallen points to the posts to opt to take the 2.

71: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Penalty goal attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon must think he is playing Rugby Union! Another penalty goal.

71: Sharks 22-18

74: Holmes slices through off a kick return. Sharks on the attack.

74: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by James Roberts. Kick to come.
Roberts intercept! Goes 80m to score. Titans hit the lead out of nowhere!

74: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Makes no mistake. 24-22 Titans. Great finish coming.

77: Sharks get the ball back off a short kickoff. On the attack!

77: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Andrew Fifita makes an unforced error.
No! Drops the ball 20m out. Huge chance for the Sharks busted!

78: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Valentine Holmes makes an unforced error.
Holmes from his own in goal makes a great run and spills in front of his own line!

78: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
William Zillman makes an unforced error.
Now Zillman spills the ball. Scrum Sharks. Fair dinkum this is frustrating to watch!

79: Titans just dummy half running no risk...good idea.

80: Fulltime Titans are off the mark! Gold Coast 24 Sharks 22

80: Thanks for joining us today. The game certainly lived up to the 'battle of the spoon' tag, neither team could remember how to win. Stay tuned for the Match Report and log on to League Unlimited to discuss the chances of these teams making the 8...in 2016.