The Victorian Thunderbolts have celebrated their first victory of the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup season.
The 36-28 victory over the Sydney Roosters at Truganina came after a couple of near-misses in the past month.
A barge over from dummy half by Antonio Sanele gave the Thunderbolts a 6-0 lead in the early stages of the contest. The Sydney Roosters scored back-to-back tries to take a 12-6 lead midway through the first half.
With under a minute left in the half, replacement player Tui Ieremia, the brother of Storm rookie Dean, scored under the sticks and a conversion to Storm development squad member Daniel Atkinson saw both teams locked together 12-12 at the break.
The Thunderbolts came out firing early in the second half with Ieremia grabbing his second try and Jonah Pezet, another member of the Storm contingent, crossing the line saw the team take a 24-12 lead.
The Roosters fired back with three tries in a row and the score line was back in their favour 28-24. The boys hung tough and with two late tries to Kruz Niutili-Schmidt put the team a converted try in front, 34-28. A late penalty goal from Daniel Atkinson iced the game, 36-28.
The team has a two week break with a bye and a whole of competition week off. Victoria Thunderbolts next game is round 11 v Wests Tigers at Lidcombe Oval, 22 May.
Thunderbolts season so far
Lost to Canterbury 28-18
Lost to Cronulla 18-10
Lost to Wests Tigers 50-12
Lost to St George Illawarra 32-12
Lost to Manly 32-25
Drew with Cronulla 18-all
Lost to Penrith 40-20
Defeated Roosters 36-28
