The round-two clash was played in difficult conditions at Dangar Park on Saturday, with both teams kept scoreless at half-time.

A Tom Quinn try 10 minutes into the second half put Maitland in front 7-0 before two late penalty goals kept the hosts in the contest.

The depleted Blacks were without a raft of players, including star recruit Josh McCormack, halfback Jono O’Toole and his replacement

Luke Cunningham, who was ruled out with a calf injury on Thursday night.

Adam McCarthy made his first grade debut for Maitland at halfback and excelled in the physical battle.

Tynan said he was proud of the courage his team showed.

“That’s the toughest game we’ll play all year and that was reflected in the score,” he said.

“It was very tough and physical and at times we didn’t play the smartest football, but Easts are always tough down there and we knew that going in.”

Tynan said his forwards laid the platform for the victory.

“Our forwards were outstanding,” he said.

“There was a comment made by a few people that it was such a physical game and our forwards didn’t run away from it.

“They really stepped up and toughed it out, they didn’t go missing when we needed them.”

The Blacks have conceded just 13 points in their opening two games and Tynan said he was happy with the defensive display.

“Our defence has been the big ­positive,” he said.

“We were really strong and at 0-0 at half-time we knew the wind was behind us in the second half which was a big plus after we held off the initial onslaught.”

In other round two Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union premier ­division results, Wanderers smashed Lake Macquarie 55-14, Merewether downed University 31-7, Hamilton defeated Southern Beaches 31-13 and The Waratahs beat Nelson Bay 43-21.