MELBOURNE recorded a 32-6 victory over Gold Coast in an historic NRL trial at Coffs Harbour, but the youthful Titans were gallant in defeat against a star-studded opposition.
The Titans' 28-man squad, drawn mainly from the Queensland Cup for the club's first ever game, put up a brave fight against the 2006 grand finalist at a packed BCU International Stadium.
Melbourne only hit the after-burners in the final 20 minutes as the score blew out after tries to winger William Chambers, who jagged a double, back rower Sam Tagataese and fullback Billy Slater.
Former Storm winger Chris Walker, who bagged his side's only try, hobbled off the field in the 78th minute with a suspected knee injury.
The anticipated payback against Melbourne's Steve Turner – who reneged on a three-year agreement with the Titans – failed to materialise as the 22-year-old was kept away from the thick of the action on the wing before shifting to fullback late in the game.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy kept 20-year-old superstar Greg Inglis on the sideline for a large chunk of the match making it difficult to gauge his performance in the unfamiliar five-eighth role, although the Queensland and Australia winger was dangerous out wide.
Storm was expected to smash the Titans, who fielded a team chock-full of state league players sprinkled with a handful of NRL first graders.
Gold Coast stars Mat Rogers, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey and Preston Campbell were rested for the match but are expected to get a run against Parramatta in Lismore next weekend.
The "baby Titans" acquitted themselves well and trailed only 12-6 after an hour's play.
Melbourne jumped to a 12-0 lead after 11 minutes through converted tries to skipper Dallas Johnson and former Newcastle centre Anthony Quinn.
The Titans were solid in defence and able to repel Storm's array of attacking weapons, including speedsters Inglis and Slater.
Walker, playing for a contract over the next three weeks, scored an opportunist 34th minute when he won a scramble for a Kaufmann grubber.
Pint-sized halfback Isaac Kaufmann was one of the best for the Titans while Johnson put in a typical tradesman-like effort for Storm.
TITANS 6 v STORM 32
Scorers Titans: C Walker try. C Walker goal.Scorers Storm: W Chambers 2, D Johnson, A Quinn, S Tagataese, B Slater tries. C Smith 4 goals.
BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, NSW
7.30pm
David Myles (c) Titans, Dallas Johnson (c) Storm
Referee: Tony Archer
HALF TIME: Storm 12-6
FULL TIME: Storm 32-6
