The Dyldam Parramatta Eels have been defeated by a spirited Gold Coast Titans side 34-14 after a convincing display at Cbus Super Stadium.
In front of 15,273 fans, including many from the loud Blue and Gold Army, the Titans were too good with a six tries to three victory.
The Eels had one change to their line-up with Beau Scott ruled out with an ankle injury, moving Peni Terepo into the starting side with Cody Nelson joining the bench.
Titans centre Konrad Hurrell started the game in spectacular fashion, first recovering from a hit to the nether regions and then a minute later scoring their first try from a swift attacking play down the right edge.
Tyrone Roberts was unable to add the extras with the conversion sailing wide.
In his first game back from a hamstring injury, Eels centre Brad Takairangi kick-started the Blue and Gold with a big line break with the ball ending up with Bureta Faraimo, who looked to have scored but was ruled to not have grounded the ball.
The Titans responded with a swift attacking set, with the fifth-tackle kick rebounding off Brad Takairangi, regathered by Macdonald who floated the kick to their right side.
The kick was collected by Anthony Don in open space who scored. Roberts was again unsuccessful with the conversion.
Chris McQueen showed his strength after collecting a short ball from halfback Ash Taylor, with Clint Gutherson unable to stop the second-rower collapsing over the line.
Taylor, relieving Roberts of kicking duties, added the extras seeing the home side 14-0 ahead.
Kenny Edwards opened the Eels’ account with four minutes remaining in the first half, following quick passes from Isaac De Gois to Gutherson to Edwards, who never looked in doubt of crossing the try-line from 10 metres out.
Michael Gordon was unable to slot the conversion, with the Titans taking a 14-4 lead into halftime.
The referee gives the Titans a penalty for the Eels’ markers not being square, with Ash Taylor slotting kicking the penalty goal and extending their lead.
Both teams traded penalties and sets down the field, before the Eels made a repeated attacking push to the line in the 58th minute.
Bevan French made a brilliant finish, plucking the ball on the bounce of a Gutherson kick and landing the ball inside by centimetres.
Gordon was again unsuccessful with the conversion.
The Titans continued to press with Nene Macdonald scoring after diffusing a high bomb kick from Ash Taylor, and Chris McQueen barging over for his second try of the night.
Eels halfback Jeff Robson scored a late try, backing himself from first receiver, adding some respect to the scoreline.
With a minute remaining on the clock, Titans half Taylor intercepted a stray pass and ran 50m to score a converted try and put a stamp on the Titans victory.
Gold Coast Titans 34 (McQueen 2, Hurrell, Don, McDonald, Taylor tries, Taylor 4 goals, 1 pen goal)
def.
Parramatta Eels 14 (Edwards, French, Robson tries, Gordon 1 goal)
