The Botak
24-06-08, 07:28 AM
Souths make it back-to-back
Margie McDonald | June 24, 2008
Souths 24 Gold Coast 23
ROOKIE Jordan Aitkins learnt a tough lesson, giving away a penalty at the death which handed victory to South Sydney at ANZ Stadium last night.
South Sydney
South Sydney's Shannon Hegarty in full flight at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous
It allowed the Rabbitohs to claim back-to-back victories for the first time in 2008.
Aitkins was too slow to remove himself from the tackle of Souths' centre Beau Champion and referee Steve Lyons did not hesitate in awarding the penalty.
Souths hooker Issac Luke calmly potted the penalty goal to give the Rabbitohs the sweetest of one-point victories.
Gold Coast captain Scott Prince, who had earlier kicked his first field goal of the season to put his side ahead by a point, tried to manufacture another from 25 metres out and 26 seconds left on the clock.
But it was wide and Souths held on despite a last-gasp burst upfield by Mark Minichiello, playing against his old club, to grab the win after beating the Warriors in Auckland two weeks ago. A bye was in between.
It relegates the Cowboys to the bottom of the table and brought huge smiles and cheers to the loyal 9827 fans at the stadium last night, including joint-owner Russell Crowe.
The Titans were gutsy to the end. Gold Coast's cache of fresh players was reduced to zero with 15 minutes left.
The Titans had lost two props, Luke Bailey (ankle) and Aaron Cannings (calf), and a third forward, Daniel Conn (shoulder), but then fullback Preston Campbell was injured by friendly fire.
He was contesting a high kick with his winger Ben Jeffery when he received an accidental finger in his left eye and couldn't see out of it when guided up the tunnel.
But Souths fans will rejoice long into the night after just their third win of the season.
The Titans might be hard pressed to form a competitive team to meet St George Illawarra at Skilled Park on Saturday.
Along with their injuries, 18 of their points last night were scored by two Origin-bound players, Anthony Laffranchi (NSW) and Scott Prince (Queensland).
It was a hookers' feast in the first half with Rabbitoh Issac Luke and the Titans' rake Nathan Friend shining for their respective teams.
Gold Coast opened the scoring first after Friend sized up the situation close to Souths' line before throwing a flat pass to Laffranchi, who was too big and strong for Luke.
But Luke bounced back and in the space of five minutes he scored two tries himself at the other end of the stadium. He simply ran from dummy-half both times and plunged through the tackle of Friend.
And he almost secured a third when he went within centimetres after winger Shannon Hegarty made a 40-metre bust down the left touchline. But it was none other than Friend who made the covering tackle.
Despite failing to score that time, Souths had the wind in their sails and were suddenly up 10-6 while the visitors looked a little rattled.
But after missing the Titans' last club game - the 18-0 win over the Storm when he answered a late call-up for Queensland Origin duty - Prince again showed his value to the team.
From 12 metres out and nothing much on offer, Prince stepped off his left foot and duped three Souths defenders to score. The conversion of his own try restored order in the match between the team which entered the round as joint-leader and its opponent running last.
Gold Coast held a 12-0 lead at the break but Souths appeared to have much confidence from their last match before the bye - the 35-28 win over the Warriors in Auckland.
Margie McDonald | June 24, 2008
Souths 24 Gold Coast 23
ROOKIE Jordan Aitkins learnt a tough lesson, giving away a penalty at the death which handed victory to South Sydney at ANZ Stadium last night.
South Sydney
South Sydney's Shannon Hegarty in full flight at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous
It allowed the Rabbitohs to claim back-to-back victories for the first time in 2008.
Aitkins was too slow to remove himself from the tackle of Souths' centre Beau Champion and referee Steve Lyons did not hesitate in awarding the penalty.
Souths hooker Issac Luke calmly potted the penalty goal to give the Rabbitohs the sweetest of one-point victories.
Gold Coast captain Scott Prince, who had earlier kicked his first field goal of the season to put his side ahead by a point, tried to manufacture another from 25 metres out and 26 seconds left on the clock.
But it was wide and Souths held on despite a last-gasp burst upfield by Mark Minichiello, playing against his old club, to grab the win after beating the Warriors in Auckland two weeks ago. A bye was in between.
It relegates the Cowboys to the bottom of the table and brought huge smiles and cheers to the loyal 9827 fans at the stadium last night, including joint-owner Russell Crowe.
The Titans were gutsy to the end. Gold Coast's cache of fresh players was reduced to zero with 15 minutes left.
The Titans had lost two props, Luke Bailey (ankle) and Aaron Cannings (calf), and a third forward, Daniel Conn (shoulder), but then fullback Preston Campbell was injured by friendly fire.
He was contesting a high kick with his winger Ben Jeffery when he received an accidental finger in his left eye and couldn't see out of it when guided up the tunnel.
But Souths fans will rejoice long into the night after just their third win of the season.
The Titans might be hard pressed to form a competitive team to meet St George Illawarra at Skilled Park on Saturday.
Along with their injuries, 18 of their points last night were scored by two Origin-bound players, Anthony Laffranchi (NSW) and Scott Prince (Queensland).
It was a hookers' feast in the first half with Rabbitoh Issac Luke and the Titans' rake Nathan Friend shining for their respective teams.
Gold Coast opened the scoring first after Friend sized up the situation close to Souths' line before throwing a flat pass to Laffranchi, who was too big and strong for Luke.
But Luke bounced back and in the space of five minutes he scored two tries himself at the other end of the stadium. He simply ran from dummy-half both times and plunged through the tackle of Friend.
And he almost secured a third when he went within centimetres after winger Shannon Hegarty made a 40-metre bust down the left touchline. But it was none other than Friend who made the covering tackle.
Despite failing to score that time, Souths had the wind in their sails and were suddenly up 10-6 while the visitors looked a little rattled.
But after missing the Titans' last club game - the 18-0 win over the Storm when he answered a late call-up for Queensland Origin duty - Prince again showed his value to the team.
From 12 metres out and nothing much on offer, Prince stepped off his left foot and duped three Souths defenders to score. The conversion of his own try restored order in the match between the team which entered the round as joint-leader and its opponent running last.
Gold Coast held a 12-0 lead at the break but Souths appeared to have much confidence from their last match before the bye - the 35-28 win over the Warriors in Auckland.