Outcast Titans forward Dave Taylor has responded to his NRL axing in the best way possible with two tries for Tweed Heads in their upset 30-16 victory over Wynnum Manly in Round 20 of the Intrust Super Cup.
The Titans' form in July has been nothing short of abysmal with the club conceding 102 points in their past three matches after Friday's 34-0 drubbing at the hands of Brisbane.
Taylor was one of a number of Gold Coast players omitted by Neil Henry ahead of their clash against the Broncos but delivered the perfect riposte to his coach with a try either side of half-time at Piggabeen Sports on Sunday.
It wasn't a good day for fellow Titans Matt Srama and Anthony Don, who both suffered dislocated shoulders playing for Tweed and Burleigh respectively. Veteran centre Brad Tighe was also injured in Burleigh's 18-14 win over Souths Logan.
The PNG Hunters moved into equal first on the ISC ladder after grounding the Townsville Blackhawks for a second time this season in an entertaining clash in Kokopo.
Townsville went into the Round 20 clash having only dropped two games all season – against the Ipswich Jets in Round 2 and Hunters in Round 11 – but were ambushed by the locals who jumped out to an early 12-0 lead at the intimidating jungle surrounds of Kalabond Oval.
Leading 18-12 at half-time, the Hunters scored two quick tries after the break to open up a 16-point advantage midway through the second half only to see the Blackhawks mount a courageous fightback to move within two points of the hosts with 10 minutes to go.
However, it wasn’t to be as the Hunters held on for a 28-26 victory to move level with the Blackhawks on 33 competition points, with Townsville retaining top spot courtesy of a vastly superior for-and-against.
Elsewhere around the grounds, fullback Marlon Doak produced a lively display in Redcliffe's 40-18 win over the Mackay Cutters to move the Dolphins within three points of the top six, while the Easts Tigers survived an early scare against the bottom-placed CQ Capras but went on to record a comprehensive 56-22 victory in Rockhampton.
Only one match was played on Saturday with Marmin Barba and Brandon McGrady both crossing for doubles in the Jets' 36-22 win over Norths Devils at North Ipswich Reserve.
The result sees the Jets move up to third on the ladder on 30 points with five rounds remaining until the finals series.
Sunshine Coast Falcons and Northern Pride received weekend byes with the automatic two points keeping the Pride one win outside a finals position.
