NYC Trial: TITANS vs WARRIORS

[DIEHARD]

Titans NYC score draw against Warriors

A spirited second half fightback has secured the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans? NYC side a 34-all draw against the New Zealand Warriors in tonight?s pre-season trial match in Lismore.

The Titans under-20s looked down and out when trailing 28-6 shortly after halftime before they came to life during the final 30 minutes with 28-unanswered points including two tries to Jy Hitchcox.

Bustling interchange forward Fred Tila gave his side the lead for the first time in the match at 34-28 but the Warriors scored inside the final five minutes to pinch a 34-all draw.

TITANS 34 (Jy Hitchcox 2, Siosaia Vave, Jordan Rankin, Tim James, Fred Tila tries; Rankin five goals)

drew

WARRIORS 34 (Kevin Locke, Jody Henry, Thomas Ah Van, Bill Tupou, Sione Lousi tries; Shaun Johnson 5 goals).

Source: http://www.titans.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Junior Warriors unable to hold on in Lismore

Searing heat and a stunning Gold Coast comeback today ensured the Vodafone Junior Warriors had to be content with a 34-34 draw with Gold Coast in their only all-NYC trial ahead of their 2009 campaign.

After leading 22-6 at halftime ? fullback Kevin Locke with two of his side?s four tries ? the Vodafone Junior Warriors extended their advantage to 28-6 when winger Bill Tupou hauled in a cross-field bomb to score just minutes into the second half.

But then the heat came on literally.
With the temperature in the mid-30s (the match kicked off at 3.50pm), the visitors began to falter. At the same time, coach Tony Iro interchanged several of his key players including prop Leeson Ah Mau, standoff Elijah Taylor and Locke. The two factors conspired against the Vodafone Junior Warriors and certainly worked in the Titans? favour.

In the space of five minutes they scored three tries to trail 22-26 and then in the final quarter two more tries completed an astonishing comeback to give Gold Coast a 34-28 lead with just five minutes left to play.

But despite bleeding 28 unanswered points, the Vodafone Junior Warriors were able to recover their composure to make the final statement of the contest, second rower Sione Lousi using footwork, skill and strength to score between the posts.

Halfback Shaun Johnson?s conversion enabled his side to come out of the match with a draw and the knowledge there will need to be plenty of improvement ahead of the season-opening NYC clash against Parramatta at Mount Smart Stadium on March 14.

Match details:
At Oakes Oval, Lismore

Vodafone Junior Warriors 34
Tries: Kevin Locke 2, Jody Henry, Thomas Ah Van, Bill Tupou, Sione Lousi
Conversions: Shaun Johnson 5

Gold Coast Titans 34
Tries: Jy Hitch**** 2, Siosaia Vave, Tim James, Jordan Rankin Fred Tila
Conversions: Jordan Rankin

Halftime: 22-6 Vodafone Junior Warriors

Source: Warriors Media Release

[titanstattman]

Yeah i spoke to a cpl of players after they game and hats off to them on comming down and see us after they game....

They said After half time they were feeling abit down but after hear us getting right behide them they lifted and get the score line came back they were over the moon with the surpport they had fpor the 2nd half

[Paul]

They were everything you want from a football team.When we turned up we looked at the scoreboard and they were losing 24-6 so we were concerned, then in a matter of about 10 minutes the titans scored 4 tries then took the lead. NZ only equalised with literally seconds to go

The boys showed fight and alot of pride in the jersey against a friggin good (and huge) warriors team

and like Doug said they were nice enough to come round to us after their game and stand in our little group until they had to leave

[totally]

Was a great effort to comeback againt a giant Warriors side. Hitchcox only played the last 20 minutes after fighting a staff infection on his knee all week .He only touched the ball 4 times scoring 2 tries setting up a try on one run...and almost skirting the warriors players on his 4th before being bundled in to touch....Dangerous player and now 5 tries from 3 matches ....try scorers is what this side needs. Fred Tila also looked good in the 2nd half. As did Luke Page who pulled off a couple of inspiring big hits against the Warrior forwards.

Kudos to the Titans players in first half too...the Warriors were on fire in that half...no injuries but plenty of sore bodies Im sure.

[titanstattman]

Was a great effort to comeback againt a giant Warriors side. Hitchcox only played the last 20 minutes after fighting a staff infection on his knee all week .He only touched the ball 4 times scoring 2 tries setting up a try on one run...and almost skirting the warriors players on his 4th before being bundled in to touch....Dangerous player and now 5 tries from 3 matches ....try scorers is what this side needs. Fred Tila also looked good in the 2nd half. As did Luke Page who pulled off a couple of inspiring big hits against the Warrior forwards.

Kudos to the Titans players in first half too...the Warriors were on fire in that half...no injuries but plenty of sore bodies Im sure.

So i take it u were down there u should of poped over to say hi to the legion

[totally]

Indeed i was...will catch up with everyone during the year no doubt.