Jai- high Titans make waves as Manly fightback falters
A TRY double to unlikely hero Jai Arrow has fired the Gold Coast to a 32- 20 NRL upset of Manly and the Titans’ second win in a row yesterday.
The Titans were forced to hold off a Manly fightback but tries to Anthony Don and Arrow in the last six minutes at Marley Brown Oval in Gladstone in central Queensland ensured Garth Brennan’s side jumped into the top eight.
Lock Arrow, who was once again a standout following his off- season move from Brisbane, ran for 143 metres as well as making 20 tackles.
The Titans looked home and hosed up 22- 8 with 26 minutes remaining but Trent Barrett’s side showed real grit to fight back with two quick tries in front of a crowd of 5135.
Daly Cherry- Evans, who famously backed out of a deal to join the Titans, looked like he might come back to haunt the Gold Coast when he intercepted an Ash Taylor pass and ran 95 metres to score.
And when Api Koroisau scooted out of dummy half to send Brian Kelly over, it was game on at 22- 20.
However, the Titans showed a resolve which has been missing in past years. Following their 54- 8 humiliation at the hands of St George Illawarra two weeks ago, the Titans have rebounded with victories over the Sea Eagles and Brisbane.
After five rounds they are the highest- placed Queensland team ahead of the Broncos and North Queensland.
Often- maligned backrower Bryce Cartwright showed flashes of his brilliant best with a flick pass to send Arrow over in the first half which gave the Titans the lead for the first time.
Prop Jarrod Wallace showed he deserves to retain his Queensland State of Origin jersey after scoring one try and running for 143 metres.
Jono Wright was only called into Manly’s line- up at the very last minute after Brad Parker went down ill in the warm- up and remarkably scored his side’s first try.