Titans’ late try seals it

GOLD Coast produced a stirring comeback yesterday in Garth Brennan’s NRL coaching debut with Konrad Hurrell’s late try helping to pip Canberra 30-28 at home.

The club’s new million-dollar man, Ashley Taylor, was the architect, twice putting in kicks to set up tries in a club record equalling 18-point comeback win.

It had been shaping as an embarrassing opening night for the new-look Titans, who had leaked three soft tries after just 11 minutes.

Bullied through the middle of the park, the Titans completed at just 53 per cent and missed 20 tackles, compared with Canberra’s nine in the first half.

The Raiders made easy yards and looked like running away with the contest before Taylor’s precise grubber found Kane Elgey in goal as the rain fell to give the Titans a sniff, down 24-12 at the break.

Phillip Sami and Dale Cop- ley both crossed in the left corner to start the second half, with a penalty kick soon after levelling proceedings 24-24.

But Raiders centre Joey Leilua put a halt to the comeback, scooping up a battered down bomb for a 28-24 lead heading into the final 10 minutes. But Hurrell intercepted another Taylor grubber with 90 seconds to play, to delight the 10,238 in attendance.

PENRITH roared back from 14 points down to steal a courageous 10-point win over arch- rival Parramatta yesterday, 2414. The Panthers appeared dead and buried when the Eels raced out to a three-try lead inside the opening half hour.

But the home side scored 24 unanswered points to stun the premiership contenders.