Souths skip past brave Gold Coast

South Sydney have fought off a brave and passionate Gold Coast Titans outfit at CBUS Stadium this afternoon

In a game where Souths had more than 5 sets of six than the Titans and made a whopping 90 less tackles, it was only in the last 20 minutes that Souths snatched the ascendency and ran over a tired Titans outfit.

Souths had all the running early one including three consecutive sets on the Gold Coast line but could not break through. In fact it was the Titans who opened the scoring when boom Centre James Roberts continued his fine 2015 season with a great show of pace to get around fellow centre Bryson Goodwin to send Anthony Don over in the corner which was his 6th try in 4 games and 9 tries for the season. Sezer's unsuccessful conversion left the score 4-0 and that was the way it stayed despite Souths constantly raiding the Gold Coast line. Souths finally broke through in the 24th minute when Greg Inglis showed great athleticism and brilliance to motor past Dave Taylor and Josh Hoffman to score under the posts and give the visitors the lead 6-4.

James Roberts again got the Titans on top with just their second set of six inside the South Sydney half. He stood up Goodwin for the second time of the day with ultimate ease and this time used his strength and speed to side over out wide, Aidan Sezer conveted to make it 10-6 and this was the way it stayed until half time.

Souths fired up in the 2nd half and made the Titans pay for some costly errors, first Chris Grevsmuhl crashed over on 49 minutes after a beautiful ball by young back rower Nathan Brown sent the aforementioned Grevsmuhl next to the posts, surprisingly Isaac Luke missed the conversion and the score remained 10-10.

12 minutes later, Alex Johnston continued his phenomenal try scoring record (30 tries in 30 games) by backing up from a Chris Grevsmuhl pass that saw Johnston brush past Josh Hoffman to touch down under the posts, Luke made no mistake with the conversion this time and it was Souths leading 16-10. End to end football continued for the next 10 minutes until Grevsmuhl great afternoon continued as he rushed on to a short ball from John Sutton to score under the uprights, Luke nailed the kick and at 22-10 the game looked over with only 8 minutes left.

The Titans wouldn't say die however as they scored through Anthony Don again after some slick hands from Sezer and Taylor to reduce the deficit to 6 points.

In the final three minutes, Lock Forward Lachlan Burr looked to have scored for all money, only for Alex Johnston to knock the ball free and effectively win the game for the Rabbits. There were some nervous moments late on but the Rabbithos held on to capture a vital and deserving 22-16 win.

What would have been most pleasing for South Sydney coach Michael McGuire would have been Souths ability to play without star full back Greg Inglis for the final 30 minutes.

The Gold Coast were incredibly brave and inspiring for the second straight game at home but poor ball control and costly penalties ultimately cost them the game against a more ruthless Souths side. James Roberts was a real stand out again for the losing side with 1 try, 1 try assist and 3 tackle busts.

Souths will be sweating on the fitness of both Greg Inglis and George Burgess who were both taken off with injuries. Inglis copped a stary forearm and knee early in the second half from Titans prop Ryan James and was taken of the field to undergo concussion protocols, whilst Burgess had a nasty head clash with Luke Douglas late on in proceedings. Souths fans will be hoping that both will be back for their clash in Perth next week against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday afternoon.

The Titans meanwhile had no fresh injury concerns come out of the game and will go back to training for some soul searching before travelling down to Sydney to take on the Wests Tigers next Friday night at Leichardt Oval.

Match Details

Gold Coast Titans 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Crowd: 15,583
Halftime Score: Gold Coast Titans 10 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6

GOLD COAST TITANS (16)
Tries: Anthony Don (2), James Roberts
Conversions: Aidan Sezer (2/3)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (22)
Tries: Greg Inglis, Chris Grevsmuhl (2), Alex Johnston
Field Goals: Luke Keary (0/1)
Conversions: Issac Luke (3/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Alex Johnston
2 points - Chris Grevsmuhl
1 point - James Roberts

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Robina for this Saturday Afternoon clash between the Gold Coast Titans and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. It's a lovely afternoon here on the Gold Coast but is very humid down on ground level.
A few changes for both sides. The Titans have Will Zillman out with a back injury, veteran Brad Tighe comes into the side in jersey 19. Daniel mortimer has been promoted from the bench to start at hooker with Kieran Mosely onto the bench, Ben Ridge starts in place of Dave Taylor who has also been dropped to the bench.

For Souths they have Ben Lowe ruled out with injury, Nathan Brown comes from the bench to start in the back row, Chris Grevsmuhl comes onto the bench in jumper 18.

Gold Coast will be very keen to put their Golden Point loss to the Sharks a fortnight ago behind them with a win here. Only two points separating these two clubs, a loss for either side will be a disappointing result. Souths want to stay in touch with the top 8, their form has been down recently, however have won 2 of the past 3, they will want to continue that this afternoon.

It's not going to be an easy assignment for the Titans who have lost 5 of their past 6 games against Souths. 3 of those 5 losses have been at CBUS Stadium.
Who's ya pick folks? Kick off is only 10 minutes away!

Here come both the clubs, Souths get a fierce welcome from the Gold Coast faithful!

We're underway! Gold Coast have first use of the football

1: Good opening set from the Titans with some razzle dazzle mixed in, Inglis for Souths makes a good take from a Sezer bomb to diffuse the situation for the Rabbits

2: Error by the Titans only 25 metres out from their own line! Big chance for Souths.

3: Penalty to Souths! Another set for the Titans to deal with

4: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Greg Inglis makes an unforced error.
Bad, rushed pass from Inglis that dribbles into touch, no look from Inglis, not the smartest play. Good defence from Gold Coast there, that will give them confidence

5: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Luke Douglas makes an unforced error.
I spoke too soon! Douglas tackled hard and as he hits the turf he loses possession! This could be costly.

7: Frantic play on the last, Keary drops it behind him but collects and grubbers into the in goal, a few fumbles by Myles and Don and nearly grounded by Goodwin. Line drop out!

7: Another penalty to Souths! Holding down in the play the ball, Souths 10 m out. Can Gold Coast hang on??

8: Try Saving tackle by Kevin Gordon, hits Walker with a jarring hit!

9: Gold Coast survuve, Sutton's kick on the last is diffused, Titans finally get some possession and three tackles later they get a much needed penalty.

11: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Anthony Don. Kick to come.
Is Don Is Good! After all that defence the Titans have scored with their first set inside the Souths half. Roberts is giving the ball in space and the stands up Goodwin with pure pace and fires to Don who bags his 6th try in 4 games!

11: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer unsuccessful.
The kick just can't come back enough, close shave. Score remains 4-0

12: Well, it has certainly been a great start by the Titans, in defence and attack. They look like they are here to play. Souths look a tad shell shocked

14: Kevin Gordon saves the day again! Keary breaks through some feeble defence and puts in grubber for Alex Johnson but Gordon comes across and knocks it dead, great football by both sides

15: Souths on the attack, 20 metres out, they would love to reply with some points

16: Tyrell is caught with it on the last and it's a changeover, underwhelming end to the set for the Redfern boys

17: Another penalty to Souths again as they come out from their own end, high shot by the big man Ryan James

17: Inglis has stayed down after what looks like a bit of a crusher tackle, it's against Ryan James and Souths get a penalty. Ill discipline again from Gold Coast!

17: Souths really pressuring the line,

17: Elgey runs it dead after another nice kick by Keary, he has been playing smart in the first 20 minutes. 3rd line drop out for the Titans, surely they have to break soon??

17: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Nathan Brown makes an unforced error.
Error by Souths! Brown tries to get the quick play the ball but loses it! They are a bit off their game Souths, look incredibly flat in attack

17: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Ryan James makes an unforced error.
Tit for tat here, Gold Coast give the ball back again. Souths with yet another chance.

19: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Greg Inglis. Kick to come.
Inglis break out of a few tackles close to the line and accelerates past Josh Hoffman and Dave Taylor and slides under the post! Great individual skill by GI. Souths are finally on the board!

23: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
All good from Luke, 6-4 to Souths.

24: They only have themselves to blame here Gold Coast, lots of errors, can't give that to Souths

26: Superb run from Taylor, breaks away from 4 defenders on a 20 metres gallop. Kick is fielded by Johnston who is grounded 2 metres out from their own line

28: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Dave Taylor makes an unforced error.
Bad error by Dave Taylor 5m shy of halfway, poor stuff again. Titans can't complete their sets, Souths well and truly on the attack

29: Souths have had 8 extra sets than the Gold Coast, Titans have had to make 63 more tackles!

30: Yet the Titans are still well and truly in the contest, all power to them.

31: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Bryson Goodwin makes an unforced error.
Big error from Goodwin on the tap! Gold Coast get a rare set in Souths Half, 25 metres out

33: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by James Roberts. Kick to come.
James Roberts is hurting his former club! Aidan Sezer gets the ball to Roberts with lots of room, he gets on the outside of Goodwin and shapes to pass and slides straight through with lots of strength!

34: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
Sezer corrects his conversion this time around and its 10-6!

35: Only the Titans 8th set of the game and just the 2nd time they have been inside Souths half, phenomenal stat

36: What can Souths come up with? Can they get a try before half time?

36: Penalty to the Titans! Just shy of half way, this is very handy for the Titans. Only 20 metres out.

38: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Ben Ridge makes an unforced error.
Another error by the Titans and Souths are off the hook and two tackles later and Souths get a penalty

39: Keary nearly gets to the grubber from Sutton! Hoffman intervenes and knocks it dead! 4th line drop out of the half by the Titans

39: One last chance in the half for Souths

40: Sutton's kick is fielded by Kev Gordon and that's half time! 10-6 to the home side and they will be chuffed with the 4 points lead in a half where they only had 40% possession!

40: Souths have had all the territory and possession but find themselves behind thanks to a wonderful defensive performance by the Gold Coast. The Titans have been forced to make a whopping 69 more tackles and have had 7 less sets. If the Gold Coast can hold onto the ball then they could run away with this, particularly as James Roberts is giving Bryson Goodwin a torrid afternoon out wide.
Souths will need to be a tad more expansive and try and get Greg Inglis more involved, when given some space he scored a brilliant individual try

40: We are back for the second half here folks. I wonder who will grab the two points?

40: Top tacklers: Myles with 25, Mortimer with 21 and Burr with 21

For Souths: McQueen with 14, Clark and Brown both with 11.

40: Walker has just had his ankle strapped up after getting it trapped in the tackle. We'll keep you posted on that.

42: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
James Roberts makes an unforced error.
Roberts with an error whilst he was motoring! Titans were away there too and had the overlap

43: Good attacking opportunity here for Souths

44: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Issac Luke makes an unforced error.
Isaac Luke scrambles from dummy half but knocks the ball on as he tries to offload on the last tackle, great defence from the Titans there

45: Penalty to Gold Coast, holding down in the play the ball, good territory for the Titans. George Burgess the culprit that time

45: Illegal block by Walker and the Titans get a penalty, repeat set coming up!

47: Ryan James drops the ball again, loose ball is picked up by Inglis who is away! But he is dragged down by Roberts. Souths then get a penalty for an infringement in the play the ball, Souths on the attack! End to end stuff!

48: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Chris Grevsmuhl. Kick to come.
Souths make them pay! Chris Grevsmuhl runs a great line and a short ball by Sutton results in him crashing over next to the posts! Souths are back!

49: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke unsuccessful.
Luke Hits the upright from almost in front! That could cost them later on in the game! 10-10

50: McInnes make a great run from Dummy half and he gets a penalty for another play the ball infringement, Pettybourne this time! Dear oh dear!

51: Titans fans must be pulling their hair out!

51: Anthony Don makes a vital stop by knocking down Inglis pass, we'll have another set for Souths, 10m out from the Titans line

54: Magical defence from Hoffman and co! Gray can almost fall over the line after some smart passing from Souths, he comes across and they slam him to the turf half a metre out! On the other side Walker drops the ball when if he passed to an unmarked Johnston they would have scored for all money!

54: Greg Inglis is down and it looks bad for the Souths fullback, Ryan James has hit him with a stray forearm and knee, Ouch!

55: Inglis has been taken from the field, will keep you updated on the progress...

55: Titans on the attack due to that Inglis error.

56: A huge bomb by Sezer is batted dead by Goodwin, more pressure for Souths. Titans want that try badly.

56: UNFORCED ERROR GOLD COAST TITANS
Eddy Pettybourne makes an unforced error.
Error again!

58: Penalty to Souths after a strip by Ridge, stupid stupid stuff!

61: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Alex Johnston. Kick to come.
What a try! Pearler of a ball by Grevsmuhl and Johnston uses his express pace to crash under the posts! 14-10, very good play by the Rabbits!

61: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
All good by Luke, Rabbits get out by 6, breathing space...

63: *Correction it was Nathan Brown with that pass not Chris Grevsmuhl.
Also Greg Inglis has not passed the concussion test and is gone for the afternoon. Alex Johnston is deputizing at fullback with Walker out to the wing and McQueen to centre

64: Shepherd penalty against the Titans, Roberts run behind Ryan James, Souths with yet another great position to start the set.

67: Titans just cant stop giving away penalties! Its getting ridiculous! Roberts pushes in the back after Sezer breaks down the right and finds Don who kicks back inside. It is null and void though, Souths penalty gets them to 30 metres out.

68: Penalty count 10-5 to Souths...

69: Flash Gordon what are you doing!? Runs the ball back after marking it on the 20, and drops it cold! Souths have the ball on the 30 metre line and this could be the knockout blow in this set

71: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Chris Grevsmuhl. Kick to come.
That's the game folks! Short pass by Sutton to Grevsmuhl who crashes over, too strong and too slick, 20-10 to the boys from Redfern

72: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
Steers it through the uprights, 22-10

72: Titans get the ball back via the short kickoff, did I speak too soon??

74: TRY GOLD COAST TITANS
Scored by Anthony Don. Kick to come.
Gray marks the high bomb by Sezer in the in goal but from the kick but has the ball stolen by Sezer at the 20 metre line, ball is sent out to Taylor who fires to Don and he is over in the corner! Big kick coming up!

75: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION GOLD COAST TITANS
Conversion attempt by Aidan Sezer successful.
He nails it from the touchline! What a kick! Huge final 5 minutes! Commentators curse?

77: Titans play hot potato and then Kevin Gordon get League Unlimited's worst kick ever award that goes half a metre!
Meanwhile Souths cough up the ball and furthermore George Burgess is in a bad bad way

77: Big head clash and has hit his nose quite badly, what a physical game this has been, Souths will be down to 15 players here

77: When we restart, Gold Coast have the ball 20 metres out.

77: We're going upstairs for a try! But it looks like Burr has lost it!

77: Alex Johnston has made the most try saving tackle ever! Knocks it out! Knock on!

78: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Field goal attempt by Luke Keary unsuccessful.
Keary's field goal is blocked! Titans have the ball, one last chance!

79: Error by Titans for about the 1,000th time today and that will be the ball game, may have been two players in that previous tackle too.

80: Full time and Souths have held on to win 22-16

80: Check back to League Unlimited later in the evening to reach the match report. Thanks for tuning in to League Unlimited. Make Sure you stick around for coverage of Canberra vs Brisbane from 5.30pm