After a clunky first half when Harry Chapman scored just before half-time to level proceedings, the Blacks ran in three second-half tries through Sam Callow, Pat Batey and Mick Taylor.

"It was a little bit clunky in the first half, we had quite a few handling errors. You sort of expect that in round one," Maitland coach Luke Cunningham said.

"You go out and that stop, start ball movement can play havoc with guys overrunning things. We spoke about it at half-time and fixed it in the second half, which the score line reflected.

"The adjustment was about holding the ball and not turning possession over.

"Every time we held the ball for three or four phases we were opening up opportunities but our last pass was either being called back for a forward pass, or we were dropping a pass on contact, or turning the ball over at the breakdown.

"That's all we had to change, we didn't have to change the way we were playing, we were doing the right thing. We had the right shapes and structures it was just a matter of retaining the ball and not turning it over cheaply."

Cunningham was delighted with Pat Batey's form at fullback after his move from five-eighth during the off-season.

"Pat at fullback was excellent, he played with a lot of confidence and attacked the ball.," he said.

"His communication and leadership at the back was really evident from the sideline. He played exactly as I wanted him to play coming from five-eighth.

"He was that extra ballplayer in attack and also his communication in defence from the back was very good. He got the opportunity to have a few runs in attacking options and he actually scored off one of them as well which was a great solo try.

"Sam Callow and Nick Davidson got through a lot of work as well as forwards picking up from where they left off from last season, so it's good signs."

Cunningham was pleased with the performances of all four debutants in the side - halfback Coby Wetini, five-eighth Hare Meihana and brothers Josh and Aiden Procopis.

"Josh Procopis, on the side of the scrum, got through a mountain of work in defence," Cunningham said.

"His brother Aiden on the wing was terrific. I thought both our wingers were excellent.

"I spoke to them about coming off their wings and looking for the ball and getting involved and they were the two who touched the ball the most in our backline. Both Aiden and Mick Taylor had very strong games.

"Coby Wetini was solid at halfback, his service was excellent, he was quick to the breakdown. When he was called upon to make some tackles he didn't take a back step against some of the bigger guys and his confidence will grow from that effort.

"He certainly didn't look out of place playing first grade, that's for sure.

"Hare Meihana's kicking game at five-eighth was excellent. He kicked us out of trouble quite a few times in general play and then penalties kicking for touch."

The Maitland Blacks are away to Lake Macquarie next week, with the bye the week after.

"Lake Macquarie had the bye yesterday. They are an unknown quantity, they are back after pulling out last year because of some heavy scores against them last year and lack of numbers," Cunningham said.

"We are away to them and then have the bye.

"Ideally you would like to have the bye later in the draw when you can rest some players with injuries, but we'll use it as a week to prepare for a tough four weeks when we face the like of Wanderers and Hamilton."