Titans 18 Sharks 4
There's no place like home for the Gold Coast Titans.
Their woeful away form was quickly forgotten when the Titans toppled road warriors Cronulla 18-4 in their NRL clash at the Gold Coast tonight.
The Gold Coast are desperate to establish their new $160 million home Skilled Park as a fortress in 2008 - and no wonder.
They have won just twice outside Queensland since their 2007 inception, a horror run that was extended by last round's 30-12 thrashing by the Dragons at Wollongong.
But the Titans kept their perfect record intact at Robina with back to back home wins after keeping the Sharks scoreless in the second half.
However, the 19,050-strong Titans faithful had little to cheer about early.
Despite dominating the first half, the Gold Coast had only a deep head gash to classy backrower Anthony Laffranchi to show for their efforts as Cronulla took a 4-0 halftime lead.
The rabid Titans fans finally found their voice as dual international Mat Rogers overcame a controversial week to score a fine solo try in the 47th minute with a simple kick and regather.
Rogers had raised eyebrows with his internet blogs that criticised recovering Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston's defence.
Eight minutes later Cronulla again buckled under the pressure when former international Brad Meyers stormed over following good lead-up work by Scott Prince and Nathan Friend to make it 10-4.
By the 68th it was 12-4 after Sharks captain Paul Gallen's facial massage on Laffranchi's bandaged head led to a penalty and Prince did the rest.
Gallen's head clash in a ninth tackle on Laffranchi opened up the Titans backrower's cranium.
Flying Gold Coast winger Jordan Atkins than crossed for his fifth try in two games at Skilled Park when Prince and Rogers combined to send him over on the right sideline in the 74th.
Cronulla had hoped to extend their surprise season start.
They had opened 2008 with away wins over last year's grand finalists.
But a controversial week did not end well for the Sharks.
First there was the loss of prop Ben Ross for seven matches for that hit on Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk.
Then there was the ensuing controversy.
Adding to coach Ricky Stuart's anxiety was the loss of pivot Brett Seymour and backrower Reece Williams (both knee).
GOLD COAST 18 (J Atkins B Meyers M Rogers tries S Prince 3 goals) bt CRONULLA 4 (D Simmons try) at Skilled Park. Referee: J Robinson. Crowd: 19,050.
AAP
