Titans record upset NRL win over Bulldogs

Canterbury fullback Ben Barba enhanced his State of Origin selection hopes with a dynamic performance against the Gold Coast Titans but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Bulldogs going down 25-14 in the NRL clash in Brisbane on Friday night.

Barba, seeking to win the vacant utility spot on the bench for Queensland when the Maroons announce their squad on Monday night, scored two tries and pulled off a try-saving tackle on giant centre Jamal Idris, who played strongly against his former club.

But it was the Titans who produced a stunning upset, only their third win of the season, with Idris scoring a barnstorming 53rd minute try.

To compound Canterbury’s misery, prop Sam Kasiano was placed on report for a brutal shoulder charge on Luke O’Dwyer which left the Titans utility seeing stars while key back-rower David Stagg limped from the field in the 51st minute with a suspected ankle injury.

Gold Coast talisman Scott Prince, making his comeback from a biceps injury, scored a first-half try from an O’Dwyer popped pass and sent up a towering bomb for Mark Minichiello to touch down in the 55th minute, giving the Coast a 20-10 lead.

The 32-year-old halfback left the field soon afterwards with hamstring soreness in the Suncorp Stadium double-header played in front of 41,273 fans.

In a frenetic period midway through the second half, Bulldogs lock Greg Eastwood made a break in the middle which sparked a 59th minute try in the right corner to Barba, who looked dangerous almost every time he had the ball.

The Bulldogs showed their trademark determination and grit as the clock wound down.

Kris Keating set up Josh Morris on a charge to the tryline and suddenly the Dogs were only six points behind and the game looked like replicating the excitement of Manly’s 24-22 victory over Brisbane in the earlier match.

But ice-cool Titans five-eighth Aidan Sezer slotted home two penalty goals and a field goal in the final 10 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.

Hooker Matt Srama was outstanding for the Titans, making 41 tackles, while Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis made a game-high 43 tackles.

Maroons coach Mal Meninga will be pleased with the workrates of Origin forwards Ashley Harrison (19 hit-ups, 149m) and Nate Myles (15 hit-ups for 132m).

The Bulldogs led 6-4 at halftime after Barba scored for the Bulldogs and Prince crossed for the Titans.

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