The Blacks picked up a bonus point on their way to a 15-point victory at Marcellin Park thanks to tries to James Curran, Steve Belcher, skipper Dan Runchel and the returning Tom Quinn.

Maitland led 10-7 at half-time in a scrappy contest and managed to keep the Students scoreless in the second half with a typically gritty defensive display.

It was not all good news for the Blacks who lost new recruit Josh McCormack to a shoulder injury inside the first 15 minutes.

Early reports suggest Maitland could be without McCormack for up to six weeks.

Tynan said while it was early days there were some positives to take away from the performance.

“It was a good start, we haven’t had the best preparations with rep players being away and injuries,” he said.

“It was a scrappy game and the rain across made it worse. So to win and pick up a bonus point is all you need at this time of year.”

Tynan, who led the Blacks to back-to-back second grade titles in 2012 and 2013, said he was particularly pleased with his team’s defensive effort.

“They had all the ball and all the momentum and all the refereeing decisions especially in the last quarter of the game,” he said.

“Somehow we kept them out with determination and urgency and the boys just kept getting off the deck for each other.

“Our fitness definitely played a part towards the back end which was very pleasing.”

Maitland will travel to Dangar Park for their clash with Easts this weekend in round two.

In other round one results Hamilton defeated Lake Macquarie 39-19, Southern Beaches held off Merewether 10-9, Nelson Bay smashed Easts 39-5 while The Waratahs premiership defence got off to a rocky start, losing 39-22 to Wanderers.