NRL Victoria's Under 18 and Under 16 squads registered a couple of convincing wins when they travelled to Albury over the weekend for a round of pre-season trial games.
The U16s development squad defeated the Riverina Academy side 56-8 in what was the first of five practice games the squad will play in 2019.
The U16s have been training since November and will now go back to their respective NRL Victoria club teams until May.
The squad of 24 Victorian juniors will return to training to prepare for a game against NSW Group 21 in Melbourne in June, ahead of a three-game Sydney tour in July.
The aim of the U16s program is to develop Victorian players for Thunderbolts selection the following year.
The Victoria Thunderbolts U18s squad also began pre-season training in early November.
The trip to Albury was the only trial game the squad will play prior to the NSWRL U18s SG Ball Cup season, which commences on February 9.
The 25-man squad is made up of 100% local Victorian juniors. The Thunderbolts S.G Ball Cup draw includes five home games in Melbourne, two away games in Sydney and one in Perth.
The full draw will be released later this week.
Results
NRL Victoria U16 Development Squad v Riverina U16 Academy Squad
NRL Victoria 56 (Tries: Sua Faalogo 3, Harry Sio 2, Sheldon Diaz 2, Lene Feterika 2, Josiah Keni, Devisarn Ene; Goals: Sua Faalogo 6) defeated Riverina 8 (Halftime 24-8)
Victoria Thunderbolts U18s v Riverina U18s Academy Squad
Victoria Thunderbolts 76 (Tries: Derek Iva 2, Kynan Headon 2, Jay Natapu, Andy Tapatuetoa, Supi Lanumata, Jared Nauma, RJ Roma, Dean Ieremia, Sione Finau, Rory Togiatu, Jayden Weir; Goals: Pita-Will Purcell 10) defeated Riverina 6 (Halftime 38-0)
