Sydney Roosters 13
The last time the Gold Coast Titans met the Sydney Roosters, they were playing for an NRL grand final berth.
At Skilled Park on Saturday, both sides were simply hoping to revive their season.
They may still face a long journey back to their best but the Titans took a positive first step with a 24-13 win in front of 15,177 fans.
Meeting the Roosters for the first time since they were thumped 32-6 in last year's preliminary final, the Titans relegated the tri-colours to their fourth straight loss.
The Titans turned their luck around to run out four tries to two winners, with Gold Coast pivot William Zillman grabbing a double.
At first, the Titans did not seem able to take a trick.
Winger David Mead dropped the ball with the line open in the 25th minute and young prop Ryan James was denied a try twice in as many minutes from the 32nd.
Then a try-bound Preston Campbell - back from a month-long sideline stint with a knee injury - was called back in the 57th minute due to a dubious knock-on call.
And they endured some anxious moments after Mead cut the Roosters up the middle to cross in the 73rd minute, but video referee Chris Ward deemed Campbell had not knocked on in the lead-up after a Scott Prince pass went to ground.
They were also their own worst enemies, giving away penalties on numerous occasions while in possession.
But at least Titans coach John Cartwright could afford to smile at fulltime as the Gold Coast moved to a 3-5 record.
After scores were locked up 6-6 at the break, Zillman showed amazing acceleration to cross in the 42nd minute and help give the hosts a 12-6 advantage.
But Titans fans' joy was shortlived as the Roosters turned it around following a shuddering Lama Tasi hit on Gold Coast backrower Greg Bird in the 50th minute.
Tasi - only in the side after a reshuffled caused by the withdrawal of Jason Ryles (hamstring) - smashed Bird who was then penalised for playing the ball over the mark.
Three minutes later, halfback Mitchell Pearce sent Frank-Paul Nuuasusala over to score and Braith Anasta's conversion made it 12-12.
Pearce gave the visitors the edge with a 67th minute field goal before Mead struck.
Zillman capped the win when he pounced on a Tinirau Arona spilt ball and raced 30m to score untouched.
The Roosters' Test aspirant Nate Myles was placed on report for a 30th minute lifting tackle on Titans backrower Bird.
Gold Coast 24 (W Zillman 2 S Michaels D Moore tries S Prince 4 goals) bt Sydney Roosters 13 (J Leilua F Nuuausala tries B Anasta 2 goals M Pearce field goal) at Skilled Park. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Gavin Reynolds. Crowd: 15,177.
- AAP
