Their attack was disjointed and didn't get going until they were trailing 16-0. The Warriors of last week would have given up at that stage but this one seemed to find another gear.
It started when Shaun Johnson raced 75m away for a try after Anthony Minichiello fumbled when hot on attack and continued when Pita Godinet spun and weaved out of dummy half to crash over. When Bill Tupou grasped a Johnson grubber with six minutes remaining, the good crowd of 32,740 wondered if they might be witnessing an extraordinary turnaround.
It was unfortunate the difference was goalkicking because Johnson was the catalyst for a lot of the Warriors' resurgence. He hit one against the upright from near the sideline and scuffed his final attempt when he had the chance to tie things up.
At least the Warriors followed their coach's instructions to show some fight. Some might have taken it a little too literally when Konrad Hurrell squared up to Sonny Bill Williams who, if Hurrell didn't know, is a heavyweight boxing champion. It might have been an ill-advised decision but it at least illustrated they weren't going to take a backward step.
Johnson was well supported by Jacob Lillyman, who put in a number of thundering tackles, as well as Godinet. Elijah Taylor is a terrific footballer, and will be missed after signing with Penrith for 2014, but he is not a hooker and the Warriors look more dangerous with Godinet slotting in there.
Williams had another quiet match in a workmanlike effort. He produced one strip on Hurrell that he was unfairly penalised for and then produced a terrific offload that he built a career on that put Michael Jennings close.
But he has at least experienced victory this season. The Warriors still have some way to go before achieving that.
Warriors 14 (Shaun Johnson, Pita Godinet, Bill Tupou tries; Shaun Johnson gl) Roosters 16 (Anthony Minichiello, Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall tries; James Maloney 2 gls). HT: 0-6.
