The under 20 visitors had the better of the first half, leading 18-10 at the long break, before Riverina really came into the game.

They scored four straight tries in the back end of the game to run out 38-34 winners at Albury on Saturday.

Coach Jody Rudd was pleased with how they recovered to start their Country Championship preparations off on a winning note.

“Being the first game of the year I think the speed of the game caught us out a little bit and they are a well drilled side who have had a couple of games already,” Rudd said.

“They caught us off guard a little bit, but once we got back into the competition and won the wrestle around the ruck I thought we played a lot better.”

The Thunderbolts dominated early but couldn’t take advantage on the scoreboard.

The teams went into quarter-time locked at 4-all when Junee winger Rusiate Kaliseiwaqa pounced on a clever kick from Young playmaker Jesse Corcoran.

Victoria scored the next two tries before Leeton recruit Hayden Philp kept Riverina in the game when he charged over.

Ryan Girdler cut into the margin with a runaway effort after half-time only for Victoria to respond.

A try to Brothers recruit Nick Hay had Riverina within four points at the last break before two tries to reigning Wiessel Medal winner Zac Masters in the first eight minutes of the fourth stanza blew the game wide open.

Waratahs winger Peniona Tamanisave then pounced on a spilled bomb to make the difference 14 points.

Two late tries cut into the final margin but it was a positive start for Riverina.

After losing Nick Hay early, Masters and Albury recruit Luke Ingram really stepped up in the front row while Rudd was pleased with how Corcoran and Kirtis Fisher’s halves partnership really started to gel.