Sam Burgess celebrated his return to the Rabbitohs by grabbing himself a four-pointer in the side’s 22-20 win over the Gold Coast Titans at Pizzey Park tonight (Saturday).
It was a nervous start from both sides with plenty of drop ball inside the first 10 minutes of play, as the Titans dominated field position.
It wasn’t until a lifting tackle on Greg Inglis in centre-field that the men in Red and Green finally got inside the Gold Coast half, and John Olive nearly scored as aa result, but the winger would ultimately be taken into touch.
While the run of play may have been in favour of the Titans, it would be Souths who would grab first points when Bryson Goodwin streaked away from the 30 metre line before linking up with Kyle Turner to score in the corner. Goodwin converted from the sideline to take Souths to a 6-0 lead at quarter time.
After the break, a string of penalties against the Rabbitohs saw Brian Kelly grab a try in the corner following a dropped ball to take the score to 6-4.
The Titans would go on with it following an error from the Rabbitohs with Anthony Don speeding into the corner to take the lead 8-6.
But when the Rabbitohs got back inside the Titans half, some brilliant short-balls would test the Titans before Hymel Hunt finally crossed to make it 10-8 – Damien Cook unable to convert the try.
Just before half-time, Cameron Cullen stole back the lead for the Titans when he crashed over next to the sticks – Tyrone Roberts’ conversion taking the half-time score to 14-10 in favour of the home-side.
After an arm-wrestle that saw the Rabbitohs try on numerous occasions to gain an advantage, it would be Sam Burgess who would equalise for his team after stepping off his right foot before crashing over to score. Godwin converted to take the lead at 16-14.
The men in Red and Green went on with it mere minutes later when Jason Clark set up a try for Inglis, who crashed over under the posts to make it 22-14 with Goodwin’s conversion.
With six minutes remaining, Zeb Taia hit a short=ball at speed for the Titans to score. Nathan Davis’ conversion meant the score would be taken to 22-20 to round out the match.
Rabbitohs 22 (Kyle Turner, Hymel Hunt, Sam Burgess, Greg Inglis, tries; Bryson Goodwin 3 goals)
Defeated
Titans 20 (Brian Kelly, Cameron Cullen, Anthony Don, Zeb Taia, tries; Tyrone Roberts 1, Nathan Davis 1, goals)
