His team showed terrific commitment to hold out a tough and spirited Nelson Bay side 26-23 at Marcellin on Saturday.

Before the match Thomas said his forwards in particular would be challenged by a big, aggressive Nelson Bay pack that wouldn't back off. And he was spot-on in a game that was up for grabs right up until the siren.

"It's a good scalp this one," he admitted. "But the most pleasing thing for us is that it showed all the things we have been working on are now starting to come to fruition."

And they are?

"I think in the past Maitland has struggled to win those tight games for whatever reason," he said.

"And this was one of those games that it would have been so easy to let slip.

"They're relentless Nelson Bay, especially at the breakdown, and they have a huge scrum. So it seems like you're always under pressure with them.

"But we knew what was coming and we spoke about it ... and in the end we found a way to win. That was very pleasing."

It also means the Blacks have a very handy record of four wins from five games - indeed their only defeat was a last gasp heartbreaker to the always powerful Merewether Carlton - so things are going along very smoothly indeed at the early stage of the season.

Considering coach Thomas has changed their playing style this season, which means a period of adjustment, things couldn't be going any better.

But if Nelson Bay, last season's finalist, was a tough test, it gets even harder next weekend when the Blacks are away to premiers Hamilton who continue to be the benchmark.

"That's the real test of where we're at," he said. "And we're down there on front of their home crowd, so it is going to be a challenge."

But let's stick to Nelson Bay for now. Despite all the positives, there was one dark cloud - the Blacks look like being without No.10 Pat Batey for a couple of weeks with a neck injury.

It is significant blow, but Thomas believes he has the depth to cover the loss.

"We have a strong bench and I've been implementing it this season," he said.

"If you want to play finals football these are the sort of problems you have to overcome."

He pointed to prop Harry Chapman, backrower Travis Brooke and second rower Marcus Christensen as being stand-outs in what he described as a strong effort across the board.