Melbourne's U20 Thunderbolts have gone down to a skillful Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park in tonight’s NYC clash.
Facing a contest that could have seen the thunderbolts enter the top eight and a chance of a finals berth, it was the Broncos who put on a spirited performance to fight off Matt Adamson’s young team.
The young broncos got off to an ideal start, scoring down the left through Alex Barr before doubling their advantage thanks to an impressive solo effort from fullback Kodi Nikorima.
The thunderbolts came close to notching their first score for the night, however it was the broncos late in the first half who snuffed out the attack on the half time siren.
Upon the restart it was Brendan McBryde of the Broncos who managed to force his way across the try-line and record an 18 point lead.
The travelling Broncos continued to mount pressure on the thunderbolts and were stem any momentum going forward, before setting up their fourth try for the night with Paul Byrnes sneaking in around the corner to extend their lead.
Kodi Nikorima capped off a stellar night for the Broncos scoring the final two tries of the night with a fifty metre carry to cross the line for his second before finishing off the match with another dazzling try before the siren to take the margin to 32-0 in the second half.
The match concluded with the Broncos running out 32-point victors, which puts the young thunderbolts out of finals contention for 2014.
Melbourne Storm 0
Defeated by.
Brisbane Broncos 32
Tries: Kodi Nikorima 3, Alex Barr, Brendan McBryde, Paul Byrne
Goals: Duncan Paia’aua 3