Hunter Rugby: Matiland Blacks defeat Singleton Bulls 38-17

What had loomed as a real-danger game for and under-done Blacks turned into five-try bonus-point victory which lifts Maitland to third on the table.

"We were pretty happy to go up there and come away with one," Blacks co-coach Michael Howell said.

"You go up there at a normal time with good form and it's one of the toughest games of the season.

"You are worried about going up there because it can be an ambush, but coming off two weeks without a game we were prime to be taken out..

"It was one of our most complete performances from go to whoa.

"You look at the next few games with Wanderers (second) and Hamilton (fourth), it's a good tone setter to go into those game as well."

Pat Batey had a successful return from an extended break from concussion. He combined well with scrumhalf Ben Taylor and the rest of the backline as well as kicking five conversions and a penalty.

"He was on fire with his kicking. He has worked really hard on it this season. It rounds out his game as a No.10," Howell said.

"The extra couple of weeks off didn't hurt him, I think it helped with his confidence.

"He is a natural talent, but then you put Mick Taylor, Chris Logan, Dale Clacherty, Dane Corben our backline outside him as well it is pretty a couple of handy tools to take the pressure of him as well."

To emphasise Howell's point, Corben scored a double and Logan and Clacherty also crossed for tries. Harry Chapman was the other try scorer.

Howell is excited about the continued development of the Batey-Taylor halves combination.

"Ben Taylor is having his best season and he and Pat grew up playing together, so naturally their combination is a great starting block for the rest of that backline," he said.

"This year Ben has become a more rounded player, he is a lot fitter and that has allowed him to boost his defence. He is very good on the ball, he has made quite a few turnovers particularly earlier in the season."

Howell said the club would need to just move forward as one in dealing with the latest Covid-19 restrictions and how they may affect crowds at their upcoming games against Wanderers and Hamilton.

"There are more than likely going to be restrictions, which is disappointing but something we have to deal with," he said.

"Hopefully we can still get some good numbers along because our home crowd definitely acts like the 16^th man for us."