The Sydney Roosters NYC side have recorded a dominant win against their southern rivals, defeating the Melbourne Storm 54-6 at AAMI Park, Melbourne on Saturday night.
The Roosters put in a stellar performance, running in nine tries to one.
The Storm opened scores on the night with second-rower Joe Stimson scoring in the 10th minute on the right edge. A successful conversion gave the Storm a 6-0 lead.
From there, the Roosters held the Storm scoreless and ran in 54 unanswered points.
Charlie Taylor scored the Roosters first try in the 14th minute after a strong tackle by Taane Milne at the end of the Storm’s set gave the Roosters the ball in a strong attacking position. Jackson Hasting’s attempted conversion was waved away after hitting the posts and the Roosters trailed 4-6.
The Roosters next points came via Joey Lussick, with the hooker scoring between the posts in the 21st minute. Hastings added the extras and the Roosters took the lead 10-6.
Five-eighth Connor Watson took the Storm line on and scored between the posts in the 38th minute. A successful conversion attempt gave the Roosters a 10-point lead and the Roosters went into the sheds leading 16-6.
The Roosters picked up where they left off in the second half with the Tricolours’ first set in attack resulting in a four-pointer with Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck taking a cross-field kick beautifully and getting it down just inside the field of play. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Roosters lead opened to 20-6.
Just five minutes later, Watson scored his second try of the night. Hastings’ conversion attempt was successful and the Roosters led 26-6.
Taane Milne scored to extend the Roosters lead to 32-6 and in the very next set, fullback Latrell Mitchell leaped into the air to take a high ball, scoring between the posts with a successful conversion taking scores to 38-6 inside the final 20 minutes.
Joseph Manu scored a double in the final 15 minutes and Milne crossed the line for his second in the final two minutes of the game, resulting in a 54-6 win to the Roosters.