The Canberra Raiders have fallen 28-12 in a very scrappy game with the Gold Coast Titans in front of 8,762 at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
Both sides really struggled to keep the ball in hand and get to the end of their sets with lots of silly handling errors trading off with both sides unable to take advantage from the opposition mistakes.
Defence was also an issue for both sides with large gaps in the defensive lines with most of the points conceded by both sides down to defensive lapses.
The Titans scored back-to-back tries early in the game to get the scoring started. The first came after a Kane Elgey kick on the second tackle found Kalifi Faifai Lou in the open to score in the corner. The second scored by Elgey after a line break from Agnatius Paasii put him through. Both conversions were missed by Mortimer for an 8-0 lead to the Titans.
The Raiders hit back in the 16th minute. After receiving the ball of the back of a Nate Miles mistake and then receiving a penalty they took full advantage. Sam Williams found a hole in the Titans defence and went straight through to score. The conversion from Jarrod Croker was successful to reduce the Titans lead to two.
Ryan James scored after some mistakes from the Raiders gave them good field position of which they took advantage of. James crossed at short range using his strength to get across the line and a change of kicker saw Elgey kick the conversion for a 14-6 score line.
After the Titans defence held up two Raiders attempt to score they were finally able to get across the line. Croker scored in the corner after some quick passing from Williams and Jack Wighton put Croker through after finding a hole in the Titans defence. Croker then stepped up to convert his own try to reduce the gap back to two points.
Both sides struggled to keep control of the ball until the end of the first half meaning that the score remained 14-12 in favour of the Titans at half-time.
The Titans scored first in the second half crossing in the 45th minute. A cut-out pass from Elgey found Faifai Lou in the open on the wing and he got across in the corner. Elgey missed the conversion from out wide for a six point lead to the Titans.
After the Raiders gave away a penalty for being offside after charging down an Elgey kick the Titans opted to go for the penalty goal and Elgey stepped up and converted for an eight point lead with 15 minutes to go.
After both sides failed to keep control of the ball the Titans managed to score again. Nene McDonald scored after a flick on from Elgey put him through and Elgey kicked the conversion.
The Raiders gave up another penalty and Elgey stepped up again to kick the goal to secure the 16 point win for his side.
Gold Coast Titans 28 (Faifai Lou 2, Elgey, James, MacDonald Tries; Mortimer 0/2 Elgey 4/5 Goals) defeated the Canberra Raiders 12 (Williams, Croker Tries; Croker 2/2 Goals)
