NRL: Gritty Titans victory keeps play off hopes alive

Glenn Stewart of the Sea Eagles charges towards the line to score a try against the Knights. Photo / Getty Images

Titans 24
Eels 16

Gold Coast are within touching distance of the NRL's top eight after a victory against Parramatta yesterday at Skilled Park.

The Titans still need to win matches against Penrith and Manly to have any hope of making the finals.

But at least they are still in the hunt as they eye their next do-or-die match, against the Panthers at Centrebet Stadium on Saturday night.

Missing inspirational prop Luke Bailey, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the loss to Melbourne Storm last week, the Titans notched only their fourth home win this season in front of 14,159 fans.

This was always going to be a danger game for the Titans, who now sit just one victory outside the top eight on 24 points after Brisbane and Wests Tigers' losses this round, against last-placed Parramatta.

The resurgent Eels had won three of their past four matches going into this round 24 clash and with their season over, they had nothing to lose and were playing exciting, ad-lib football.

The Titans led 14-4 at halftime after tries to fullback Will Zillman and man-of-the-match Nate Myles, and a Scott Prince penalty goal just before the break.

Zillman benefited from an Aidan Sezer break to score in the 17th minute while the Parramatta defence opened up to concede a soft try to Queensland State of Origin star Myles in the 34th minute.

Eels winger Luke Burt collected a short ball from Ryan Morgan to cross in the final play of the first half as the visitors went to the break trailing by 10 points.

Parramatta halfback Chris Sandow dragged his team back into the contest when he won a 50m footrace to the tryline in the 54th minute.

Luke Burt converted to have the Eels 14-10 behind. Ashley Harrison then laid on a try for centre Steve Michaels to give the Titans some breathing space.

When winger Kevin Gordon brilliantly snatched a Prince bomb to touch down in the 64th minute, the Titans were up 24-10.

Eels winger Ken Sio set up Taniela Lasalo for a consolation try in the dying stages.

Sandow was put on report for a 43rd-minute high shot on Zillman.

Sea Eagles 42
Knights 20

Meanwhile, Manly again flexed their NRL premiership muscle in a thumping of Newcastle at Brookvale Oval yesterday.

The eight tries to four victory was the Sea Eagles' fourth win in a row, while the loss has put a big dent in the Knights' hopes of making the top eight.

On the back of a superb first half in attack, Manly led 38-4 at the break and had the game all but won.

A raft of Sea Eagles injuries, and a spirited Knights fightback combined for a second half in which the Knights outscored Manly 16-4, but the gap proved to be too great.

The home side scored two tries in the first six minutes to Jamie Lyon and Glenn Stewart to race out to a 12-0 lead.

Kevin Naiqama hit back for the Knights in the 13th minute, but from there the first half was all Manly as they opened up a 34-point lead at halftime in a highly entertaining display which included two tries in 10 minutes to Tony Williams and two tries in four minutes to Brett Stewart.

The 38-4 scoreline at the break summed up the home side's complete domination.

But injuries severely slowed their momentum in the second stanza.

Jason King (shoulder), Matt Ballin (calf) Jamie Buhrer (concussion) and David Williams (leg) left Manly coach Geoff Toovey without an interchange bench to turn to for the last 36 minutes as the NRL defending champions eased to their 14th win of the year.

Naiqama (51st and 63rd minute) and Jarrod Mullen (54th minute) crossed for the visitors as they attempted to make a game of things.

But the deficit proved too great and a 77th-minute try to Jorge Tafua gave Manly the 22-point win.

- AAP