There was an imposing gloom around Mt Smart Stadium this afternoon but the Warriors' season looks a lot brighter after a much-needed win over the Titans.
It was just the second win of the season for the Warriors, whose season was virtually on the line in this match. They went into the game probably needing to win 11 of their last 17 and, while defeat wouldn't have been terminal for their playoffs chances, a loss would have been a difficult one to take.
The Warriors have been building this season and had lost their last three after leading into the final 10 minutes and it even saw the bookies install them as favourites even though they were propping up the table.
They justified that faith with a decent performance. The main concern would be what looked like a wrenched back muscle injury to fullback Kevin Locke, who was stretchered from the field.
It happened when no one was around him and he dropped to the ground after turning to chase an Aidan Sezer crossfield kick. It saw utility Pita Godinet shift to fullback for the final 14 minutes of the match and ushered in a nervy finish as the Titans mounted a concerted fightback.
The Warriors led 24-6 with 16 minutes remaining and were largely dominating proceedings and seemingly in control.
But a long-range try to William Zillman and a second to giant centre Jamal Idris set up a tense finish. It raised questions of whether the Warriors could win a close one after their difficulties closing out games so far this season.
They did, and a Shaun Johnson field goal with 90 seconds remaining confirmed it even though Anthony Don scored courtesy of a blatant forward pass right on fulltime.
It will be a massive confidence booster for a side who might have sensed their season was on the line. They now need to string wins together, and host the Bulldogs in Wellington next weekend, but they are at least off the bottom of the table.
It looked like it would have been a lot more comfortable against the Titans, especially after a first as slick as the ground conditions at a sodden Mt Smart Stadium.
They were enthusiastic, had a good defensive line, got numbers into the tackle and backed it up with an excellent kicking game from the ever-improving Johnson.
The yardage they made through their prop rotation of Russell Packer, Sam Rapira, Jacob Lillyman and Ben Matulino invariably had them on the front foot and they put the Titans under considerable pressure.
They jumped out to a 10-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes when Manu Vatuvei and Feleti Mateo scored but conceded a soft try when Jamal Idris powered over in the corner after fending off Jerome Ropati.
A 10-6 scoreline put a completely different complexion on the match and the Titans, who were playing with a lack of any structure, would have felt satisfied to go to the break only four down. Fortunately for the home side, they responded with a try to Bill Tupou on the half hour after some good Ben Henry footwork and offload.
The only concern for Warriors coach Matt Elliott would have been his side's tendency to give away silly penalties that invited trouble or their ball-handling when in good attacking areas.
They didn't start the second half particularly well, continuing to turn the ball over, but those rode out a bad patch and scored tries to Johnson and Ben Henry.
Most would have thought the game was over at that stage. But the Titans muscled up, quite literally at times as tempers flared, and came home strongly.
Crucially, the Warriors held on. They will feel they still have plenty to work on still but it's a lot better feeling after collecting two competition points.
Warriors 25 (Manu Vatuvei, Feleti Mateo, Bill Tupou, Shaun Johnson, Ben Henry tries; Johnson 2 gls, fg) Gold Coast 24 (Jamal Idris 2, William Zillman, Anthony Don tries; Aidan Sezer 3 gls). HT: 16-6.
