Erin Clark (right) celebrates scoring for the Warriors with teammate Tanah Boyd. Photo / Photosport
After the drought-breaker in Melbourne, this was the follow-up performance the Warriors needed.
It wasn’t perfect, as the Warriors got strangely loose in the final quarter – but they still got the job done with a 28-20 victory over the Titans on Saturday evening.
For an hour, the Warriors never really gave the Gold Coast a chance in a dominant, physical display that had Go Media Stadium rocking.
It was efficient, clinical and bruising as they established a 28-4 lead to all but wrap the game up.
Things got a bit wobbly in the final 13 minutes, as the visitors scored three tries and could have had one more – but the result was never really in doubt.
Wing Alofiana Khan-Pereira bagged a memorable double against his former club as the Warriors put together some slick attacking work.
The home side broke the game open in the first half with four tries – and seemingly ended the contest with their fifth strike, scored by Erin Clark, with almost 30 minutes still to play.
That try exhibited the Warriors’ current confidence, with Clark and co-captain James Fisher-Harris pulling out an old-fashioned, 1980s-style double-round to the delight of the 24,112 crowd.
The Titans had been an unlikely bogey team, winning seven of the last 10 encounters, including three straight in Auckland. But history was never going to repeat, not with the Warriors determined to back up their effort against the Storm.
That was shown with their defence against the Titans, which was unrelenting across the first 50 minutes at least, before the visitors opened their account. They hit hard and scrambled well.
The Warriors were also powerful with the ball, regularly bending the line, then making the most of that momentum.
They started with intent and fire, typified by Ali Leiataua’s early break on the right edge as he found open territory, busting through two defenders.
They couldn’t make the most of that but were over soon afterwards, with Khan-Pereira flashing across on the left flank, after a neat pass from Chanel Harris-Tavita.
The Warriors rolled forward seemingly at will, while Leka Halasima asked plenty of questions, going close on three separate occasions in the first half, one after a Khan-Pereira break.
Leiataua was fired up – with a big hit on Keano Kini – and the pack made their presence felt.
But perhaps the most impressive work was without the ball, as they scrambled impressively, at one stage defending three consecutive sets before Kurtis Morrin went close, with Clark making a crucial tackle.
That paid off with Khan-Pereira’s second in the 22nd minute, which was a product of swift hands – particularly from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – and an amazing finish, bringing back memories of Xavier Coates in Melbourne two years ago as he soared through the air.
Harris-Tavita then scored the most improbable try of the half, pinballing off three defenders before somehow forcing the ball on the line, with the bunker confirming his miracle effort.
Mitch Barnett burgled possession to start another attack and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak provided the climax, after a lightning shift to the right and hot hands from Leiataua.
A cold Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad drop opened the door for the Titans early in the second half, with Jojo Fifita forcing his way over after several sets.
But the Warriors replied immediately – and it was a beauty, Clark exchanging passes with Fisher-Harris before hitting the gap, after the former Titan had won possession off the kick-off return.
The Gold Coast never stopped trying – crossing three times in the final quarter, with Sialetili Faeamani and Arama Hau both getting through on the right edge, before Kurtis Morrin split the home team up the middle.
The manner of those tries won’t please coach Andrew Webster, as the Warriors clocked off a little, but they still got the job done.
Warriors 28 (Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak tries; Tanah Boyd 3 cons, pen)
Titans 20 (Jojo Fifita, Sialetili Faeamani, Arama Hau, Kurtis Morrin tries; Jayden Campbell 2 cons)
Halftime 22-0