Titans too good for Panthers

Gold Coast Titans skipper Scott Prince showed no signs of rust as he masterminded a
38-24 victory over Penrith in Saturday's night NRL match at Skilled Park.
In his return from a five-week spell due to a broken thumb, Prince was instrumental
in the six-tries-to-four victory that moved his side into outright second on the
premiership ladder behind St George Illawarra.
The scheming halfback bagged a try and kicked seven goals for a personal haul of 18
points after only getting the pin removed from his thumb on Tuesday and having just
one training session to prepare for the match.
His best effort came shortly after halftime with the scores locked at 12-12.
The No.7 batted back a Preston Campbell grubber that looked certain to go dead and
Ashley Harrison was on the spot to secure an easy try.
Prince was simply superb but he had plenty of assistance from fellow wizard
Campbell, who toyed with the Penrith defence at will in front of 15,430 fans.
Panthers fullback Lachlan Coote was easily the best for his team, collecting a
hat-trick of tries to enhance his credentials for City Origin selection.
A committed Gold Coast were up for this game, despite their gritty win over Manly in
Sydney five days earlier, against a Panthers outfit chasing five straight victories.
Coote got Penrith off to a flying start in the sixth minute when he outjumped
Campbell in a contest for a Luke Walsh bomb, to score under the posts.
Showing his value to the Titans, Prince nailed a solo try after his bomb bounced off
Penrith winger Brad Tighe's shoulder and into the hands of the gun halfback, who
twisted out of Coote's attempted tackle to cross in the 20th minute.
Campbell shrugged off his earlier costly spill to set up a superb try for Kangaroos
candidate Anthony Laffranchi in the 24th minute.
The Titans dynamo drew the defence and threw a sublime no-look pass to charging
back-rower Laffranchi, who hit the hole with superb timing.
But the home side's lead lasted just five minutes as Panthers lock Luke Lewis
attracted two defenders before off-loading a lovely ball for five-eighth Travis
Burns to score near the posts.
The Titans enjoyed a 20-12 lead in the 54th minute when Prince slotted a penalty
goal after Michael Jennings' high tackle on Campbell.
Gold Coast dominated possession in the second half but didn't seal the match until
tries in the 65th and 68th minutes to former internationals Clinton Toopi and Greg
Bird.
Coote added some respectability to the scoreline before Titans warhorse Luke Bailey
crossed seconds before the fulltime siren.
Penrith's damaging back-rower Frank Pritchard strained a leg muscle in the warm-up
and was replaced by 18th man Wade Graham.
Pritchard is now in doubt for the New Zealand Test team picked on Sunday.



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