Post by Druzik on Aug 6, 2009 20:19:44 GMT 10
www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/08/06/72911_ntsport.html
GREAT Britain produced the type of escape Steve McQueen would have been proud of to withstand a courageous Territory Titans team at Richardson Park last night.
A try from centre Nicholas Johnson just five minutes from time spared the Poms' blushes with a hard-fought 18-12 win in an absorbing under-18 international.
In front of a partisan home crowd of more than 3000, the Titans rose to the occasion and gave the touring Lions the fright of their lives.
Even when Johnson's try gave Great Britain some breathing space, the plucky Territory boys threw everything at the visitors in a thrilling last roll of the dice.
The Titans launched a number of assaults on the visitors' line, including one that saw fullback Gavin Brown denied by what seemed a centimetre during the hectic last two minutes.
But some scrambling Lions defence came to the fore and denied the Territory from chalking up a second successive draw against a touring international side in as many years.
Early on, it appeared it would be Great Britain by how far as the tourists racked up a 12-0 lead inside the first quarter of an hour.
But from then on it was all the boys in black and ochre who played like men possessed against the cream of what the Old Dart's junior ranks.
Just as he's done on many occasions for Palmerston and the Territory, blockbusting centre Matthew Johnson provided the spark the Titans needed.
Johnson's trademark evasiveness was evident as he left four defenders in his wake in the space of just 15 metres to score under the posts.
That made it 12-6 at the main break and Johnson was instrumental in levelling the scores midway through the second stanza when his 50m break set up winger Kruise Nichols to score.
Bradley Hansen's pressure conversion 10m in from touch and 20m out made it 12-all and set up the thrilling finish.
Even though Great Britain eventually scored the sealer, it was the Titans who appeared to have control of proceedings and had the visitors under severe pressure.
It was a performance that re-affirms this crop of Territory league talent as stars of the future - some NRL scouts should do themselves a favour and get a copy of the tape.
Johnson, Hansen, halfback Jason Gebert, back-rower Trenton Smith, Brown, props Matthew Paterson-Nicolai and Jeromie Edwards, winger Brett Boucher and hooker Angus Jacobs were all outstanding.
Jake Watts announced himself as a star of the future, with Jono Rioli, Dylan Cartwright and Willie May others to play strong games.
For Great Britain, lock Michael Allen and Mathew Lowe were among their best, with Allen's try and Lowe's work in defence a feature, while Thomas Connick and match-winner Johnson stood tall.
GREAT BRITAIN 18 (Richard Baule, Michael Allen, Nicholas Johnson tries, Scott George 2, Johnathon Pownell goals) d TERRITORY TITANS 12 (Matthew Johnson, Kruise Nichols tries, Bradley Hansen 2 goals).
Lions escape Titans' clutches, just
GREGOR MACTAGGART
August 6th, 2009
GREGOR MACTAGGART
August 6th, 2009
GREAT Britain produced the type of escape Steve McQueen would have been proud of to withstand a courageous Territory Titans team at Richardson Park last night.
A try from centre Nicholas Johnson just five minutes from time spared the Poms' blushes with a hard-fought 18-12 win in an absorbing under-18 international.
In front of a partisan home crowd of more than 3000, the Titans rose to the occasion and gave the touring Lions the fright of their lives.
Even when Johnson's try gave Great Britain some breathing space, the plucky Territory boys threw everything at the visitors in a thrilling last roll of the dice.
The Titans launched a number of assaults on the visitors' line, including one that saw fullback Gavin Brown denied by what seemed a centimetre during the hectic last two minutes.
But some scrambling Lions defence came to the fore and denied the Territory from chalking up a second successive draw against a touring international side in as many years.
Early on, it appeared it would be Great Britain by how far as the tourists racked up a 12-0 lead inside the first quarter of an hour.
But from then on it was all the boys in black and ochre who played like men possessed against the cream of what the Old Dart's junior ranks.
Just as he's done on many occasions for Palmerston and the Territory, blockbusting centre Matthew Johnson provided the spark the Titans needed.
Johnson's trademark evasiveness was evident as he left four defenders in his wake in the space of just 15 metres to score under the posts.
That made it 12-6 at the main break and Johnson was instrumental in levelling the scores midway through the second stanza when his 50m break set up winger Kruise Nichols to score.
Bradley Hansen's pressure conversion 10m in from touch and 20m out made it 12-all and set up the thrilling finish.
Even though Great Britain eventually scored the sealer, it was the Titans who appeared to have control of proceedings and had the visitors under severe pressure.
It was a performance that re-affirms this crop of Territory league talent as stars of the future - some NRL scouts should do themselves a favour and get a copy of the tape.
Johnson, Hansen, halfback Jason Gebert, back-rower Trenton Smith, Brown, props Matthew Paterson-Nicolai and Jeromie Edwards, winger Brett Boucher and hooker Angus Jacobs were all outstanding.
Jake Watts announced himself as a star of the future, with Jono Rioli, Dylan Cartwright and Willie May others to play strong games.
For Great Britain, lock Michael Allen and Mathew Lowe were among their best, with Allen's try and Lowe's work in defence a feature, while Thomas Connick and match-winner Johnson stood tall.
GREAT BRITAIN 18 (Richard Baule, Michael Allen, Nicholas Johnson tries, Scott George 2, Johnathon Pownell goals) d TERRITORY TITANS 12 (Matthew Johnson, Kruise Nichols tries, Bradley Hansen 2 goals).
;D 