Forwards praised in Titans win over Eels

A delighted Neil Henry saluted his Gold Coast forward pack after the Titans chalked up a comprehensive 38-16 victory over Parramatta on Saturday at Pirtek Stadium.

The Titans ran in seven tries with centre James Roberts grabbing a hat-trick and held the Eels scoreless in the second half for the second week in succession.

While Roberts was the headline act for Henry’s side, it was his forwards – led by Greg Bird, Nate Myles and Dave Taylor – who laid the foundation for the victory against an Eels pack regarded as one of the most physical in the NRL.

“It was a great team effort but we rate our pack and they did a great job,” Henry said.

“The starting front-rowers were strong and Dougie (Luke Douglas) did well for 30 minutes.

“It gave (hooker) Kieran Mosley (the chance) to play forward on the back of their carries and James showed what he could do with a couple of intercept tries by being in the right place.

“Across the park, from our wingers to our forwards, we did a really good job today.

“Parramatta have been strong at home but we had a longer turnaround and knew, if we did what we’re good at, we could get a result.”

Titans skipper Nate Myles said the speed of Roberts was a huge plus for the team and his ability to read the game was the reason for his hat-trick.

“If they’re throwing the ball around, trying to get us through the middle and you are gasping for air, when you see Jimmy with the ball in his hand, you know he’s not going to get run down.

“He’s putting himself in that position and I don’t think he knows how good he is.”

The victory was the Titans’ eighth in 12 meetings with the Eels – the best record they hold against any team in the NRL.

Despite not reaching the finals since 2010, the Titans also possess the best record in Sydney of any of the interstate sides, winning on 10 of their 16 visits since 2012.

Their record at home is poor with just eight victories in 15 efforts since the start of the 2014 season.

“I can’t really pick it,” Henry said.

“Our games at home this year, we have lost by one or two points here and there and we have been in with opportunities.

“The boys are settled when they travel and enjoy each other’s company.”

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur accused his side of shooting themselves in the foot after slumping to the biggest home defeat since his full-time appointment last year.

The Eels completed 23 of their 34 sets and were guilty of turning over the ball with alarming regularity.

“It’s very disappointing in the first set of the second half, we dragged someone into touch and, after that, we were three of 11 in the second half,” Arthur said.

“You can’t be under 60 per cent and think your energy is not going to be drained.

“The situation of the game, we put ourselves under pressure. It looked like at times we were a team of individuals and not a team.

“We continually shoot ourselves in the foot and that is the problem.”

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