The Cronulla Sharks have gone down 16-12 at the hands of the Gold Coast Titans at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Saturday night.
On an emotional ANZAC Round night at Southern Cross Group Stadium, it would be the Gold Coast Titans who would get the scoring underway.
Having earnt quality field position through a series of penalties, the Titans shifted the ball to their left edge where Tyrone Roberts would sell a quality dummy before going over for the first try of the night.
Ash Taylor made no mistake with the conversion and the Titans were ahead 6-0 after six minutes.
The Sharks would be next to be given good attacking position, with James Maloney taking the ball to the line however firing his pass to Wade Graham with too much venom with the back-rower losing the ball before the line.
It was the home side who would again pressure the opposition try line, with Jayden Brailey crashing over only to be held up over the line.
The number 9 would again be in the thick of the action, with putting through a deft grubber at the conclusion of the set to force a Titans drop out.
The Titans defence would eventually crack when Ricky Leutele went over on the left edge, barging over for the first Sharks of the night.
James Maloney was not able to convert from the sideline and the score would remain 6-4 to the Titans.
With the lion’s share of possession, the Sharks would continue to press the Titans line, forcing the visiting team into defending their line through a host of sets.
Again, the pressure would prove too much when Jayson Bukuya followed through on Brailey grubber and was held back by the Titans Dale Copley.
Despite not grounding the ball, a penalty try was awarded to Bukuya and the Sharks were ahead for the first time in the match, 8-6.
Maloney’s kick from the right of the posts was successful and the Sharks lead was out to 10-6.
Neither side would trouble the scorers for the remainder of the half and the scored remained 10-6 at the break.
Returning from half-time, both sides were looking to break the shackles early and stamp their authority on the match.
The Sharks were offered plenty of possession however were unable to cross the line for that valuable four-pointer.
Titans star Jarryd Hayne turned provider for his side when he laid on a classy pass to Anthony Don and the winger was away however the Titans were unable to capitalise.
Heading back down field, the Sharks would earn a penalty next to the uprights and James Maloney would make no mistake with the shot at goal to extend the lead to 12-6.
From here, the away side would go to another gear when Konrad Hurrell burst through the line only to be brought down by Valentine Holmes in the last line of defence.
From the next play though, Hayne would scoot from dummy half and lay a short ball on to Leivaha Pulu who would barge his way over the line.
Ash Taylor missed the conversion and the Titans would be back in the game with the score at 12-10 to the Sharks.
Full of confidence, the Titans worked the ball down their left with less than five minutes remaining in the match and the move would prove fruitful.
Chad Townsend was unable to defuse a Titans kick and the away side would jump on the ball and Pulu would again dive over the line and send them men from the Gold Coast into the lead.
Ash Taylor would convert the try from the sideline and give the Titans a 16-12 lead.
The score would remain at full time.
Gold Coast Titans 16
Def.
Cronulla Sharks 12 (Tries: Leutele, Bukuya. Goals: Maloney (1/2 convs. 1/1 pens)
Official Crowd: 12,397
