A strong second-half performance from the ladder-leading Sydney Roosters saw Melbourne Storm’s Jersey Flegg side go down 37-6 at Seabrook Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Playing at home for the second consecutive week, Storm got off to a dream start with Stanley Huen floating a ball across for young winger Siulagi Pio, whose kick back in-field landed into the breadbasket of Gabriel Satrick, beating a handful of defenders to score in the corner in the 1st minute.
Roosters hit back with a try of their own a few minutes later, Max McCathie slicing through the middle to tie scores back up at 6-6.
The first half would prove to be an arm wrestle, neither side giving an inch as both packs went toe to toe in the middle of the field.
Having forced a repeat set, the Roosters eventually found a way through before the break, Jordan Swann proving too big and too strong for the sliding Storm defence, scoring in the 32nd minute.
Trailing by just the six points at the break, the game was well and truly in the balance for the home side, with a big second half needed to wrestle momentum back in their favour.
Unfortunately for Storm, the Roosters flexed their muscles in the second half, keeping Storm scoreless and crossing for four tries of their own.
The Roosters managed to get the jump over Storm after the break, Alan Holten burrowing over next to the posts before Max McCathie snared his second for the afternoon to extend the visitors lead.
Two further tries and a late field goal in the dying stages would seal the victory for the ladder leaders, extending their spot at the top of the table.
Storm will now look to bounce back when they return to Seabrook Reserve to face the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs on Sunday at 2pm.
