Round 1
Gold Coast Titans 36 d. North Queensland Cowboys 18

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Atkins steals the show as Titans celebrate opening of new venue
Sat March 15, 2008
Youngster Jordan Atkins enjoyed a memorable NRL debut last night scoring four tries as the Gold Coast toppled the Johnathan Thurston Cowboys 36-18 in an upset victory at the opening of Skilled Park last night.

A bumper crowd of 26,974 packed into the new Robina based venue, which is without doubt the most impressive mid-sized stadium in Australia and a stark resemblence to Wigan's JJB Stadium.

Atkins played with Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears last year and won promotion into the Titans NRL squad through the affiliation the Titans have with the Bears. Atkins made a name for himself stealing the limelight in a night of great celebrations on the Gold Coast.

However, the honour of scoring the first try at the new venue belonged to unfashionable and hard working forward Luke Bailey who crashed over in the 11th minute with Scott Prince converting. Much the same happened 22 years ago when unheralded Parramatta forward Steve Sharp was the lucky first try scorer when the new and impressive Parramatta Stadium opened for the first time in 1986.

North Queensland equalised five minutes later with former Bulldogs and Bradford centre Ben Harris scored with Thurston adding the extras.

Atkins crossed for two tries in the space of five minutes to put the Titans up 16-6 and Anthony Laffranchi extended their lead to 22-6 heading into half-time.

Thurston scored and converted right on the half-time break to bring the Cowboys back within 10 points at the break.

The Titans regained control during the second half and Atkins 3rd try in the 51st minute pushed the home side well clear at 30-12 with Prince earlier kicking a penalty goal. Prince landed another penalty goal to ensure the Gold Coast of victory.

North Queensland kept pushing for points and was rewarded with Thurston scoring his second try in the 72nd minute, but it was fitting that Atkins had the final say on the match and his 4th try sealed a memorable night of Rugby League on the Gold Coast.

The crowd of just under 27,000 last night is the biggest crowd to attend a first grade match on the Gold Coast passing the 1994 figure of 22,000 when the Gold Coast upset defending premiers Brisbane Broncos at Cararra Stadium.

Everyone involved with the new stadium at Robina should be extremely proud of themselves and our great game has landed itself a great venue and a genuine identity in Australia's fastest growing area. If there's one away game supporters should travel to than the Gold Coast Titans clash is shaping up as the game and venue to attend - not to mention all the other attractions on the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, in the Toyota Cup match preluding the NRL fixture the Gold Coast ensured a great beginning to the night disposing of North Queensland 46-10.

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