The four-time Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union premiers bounced back to form with a commanding 42-19 triumph over Nelson Bay at Strong Oval on Saturday.

Coach Scott Coleman won't be completely happy when he does a video review - especially the opening 15 minutes of the second half when Nelson scored 19 unanswered points - but for the main it was the Hawks of old.

Their urgency, physicality and commitment - aspects that Coleman was highly critical of in the 24-12 loss to Wanderers the previous round - were high.

"Our intensity and intent was up and you could see the players wanted to be there," Coleman said.

"The first 10 minutes we tried to run it out of our end and kept turning it over. Then we really clicked. Our intensity was up, that was the main thing. We told everyone before the game that they were on notice and playing for their spots. The performances was a step in the right direction. That is the standard now and we need to lift each week."

Dane Sherratt produced a show and go to open the Hawks account in the 11^th minute. The fly-half then hit winger Hamish McKie with a long pass to stretch the gap to 14-0. Tiueti Asi strolled over from the back of the scrum for a 22-0 lead at the break.

The Gropers needed a spark.

Two minutes after the break, power-packed centre Chris Smith muscled his way over from 15 metres out.

Enter Chad Northcott. The livewire, who moved from fullback to flyhalf after Joe Clarke (hamstring) limped off, stepped off his left foot and then popped a pass as he went to ground for halfback Charles Fielder to cross next to the post.

Northcott then chipped ahead for Michael Hotene to score and propel the Gropers within reach at 25-19.

"We still have lots of work to do, lots of things we can improve on," Coleman said." It's only May, it's not September yet. At half-time, we said be patient and hold the ball. Watch Chad Northcott, if he gets the ball he will try anything. His first three touches, he went through. We didn't switch on to it. Credit to the Bay, they bounced back and competed well."

As quickly as the Bay got back into the match, it moved away from them.

Breakaway Nathan Oliver was sent to the sinbin for repeated infringements in the 69^th minute.

A minute later, Asi picked the ball up in the middle of a ruck and coasted 10 metres to score under the posts.

Sherratt then stepped inside a couple of tired forwards and sent McKie on a 30-metre passage to the tryline.

Game over.

"We are our own worst enemy," Nelson Bay co-coach Ben Whaler said. "You can't give Hamilton a five-point lead let alone 22-points.

"We got it back to 25-19. We put 19 points on them and the game was there to be taken. Then we had another couple of lapses. Our biggest problem is that we are not playing close to an 80 minute game."

Though disappointed Whaler said there were plenty of positives for the Gropers.

"That was Hamilton's best game this season by far," he said. "Most blokes put their hand up, we just have to play positive rugby for longer periods. He can't afford to have 15-minute lapses, especially against Hamilton. You can't do it."