Maitland Blacks coach Matt Thomas has plenty to smile about and plenty to work on after his side came through a three-way trial against Merewether-Carlton and the Tamworth Pirates at Marcellin Park on Saturday.
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The sight of star back Chris Logan fit and carving up the opposition with decisive running and another strong outing by halves combination Pat Batey and Ben Taylor.
"It was a good hit out, you've got your basic handling errors for your first game you expect that, but generally I thought it was a really positive day for Maitland," Thomas said.
"I was really pleased with the way we finished strongly.
"We were looking to see how our fitness levels were, looking at players adhering to how we've been training and the development of some of the younger players coming through.
"Pat has been doing a lot of hard work and it was really good to see Loges coming back probably the strongest and fittest I've seen him.
"Benny has been training really well and I expect big things from him this year.
"He had a lot of first grade experience last year, which has been really good. We're now expecting him to take that next step. He and Pat work together well."
The development of the pairing will be a key element in the Blacks success this year with former scrum-half Max Stafford playing with the Wanderers this season.
The Blacks NSW Country reps Travis Brooke and Harry Chapman were both rested with injuries.
