Gold Coast Titans have had a stellar start to their 2008 campaign with a first round win over North Queensland Cowboys in the newly built Skilled Park with rookie Jordan Atkins scoring four tries on his debut.

Atkins feat upstaged the shock return of Cowboys play maker Johnathan Thurston during the Titans first game at their new home with a four star display. The only other player to score four tries on his NRL debut before Atkins was Tony Nash of the Bulldogs way back in 1942.

Titans dominated for the majority of the first half, heading into half time with a 22-12 lead over the Cowboys.

Atkins scored his hat trick in the 50th minute after a marvellous back line movement which resulted in him racing away to touch down over the white wash thanks to a pass from Brett Delaney.

Thurston attempted to spark a comeback in the 70th minute after crossing the try line with a brilliant solo effort.

But Atkins was not to be outdone, scoring his fourth try in the 76th minute and wrapping the game up for the Titans at 36-18.

Luke O'Donnell was placed on report after a high shot on Josh Graham in the 64th minute.

Gold Coast - 36
Tries - J Atkins 4, L Bailey, A Laffranchi
Goals - S Prince 6

North Queensland - 18
Tries - J Thurston 2, B Harris
Goals - J Thurston 3

Crowd - 26,974