Depth, set piece and aiming up in big games were three areas Thomas identified for improvement.

The coach is not fully satisfied, but the Blacks took another major step, grinding out a 15-12 win over high-flyers Wanderers in the mud at Passmore Oval on Saturday.

Trailing 12-5 at half-time, Thomas issued an edict - "if we want to be somewhere in this competition, we have to start right here, right now."

And it was at the scrum and lineout where they took control.

They pinned the Two Blues deep inside their own territory and wore them down.

Powerhouse No.8 Travis Brooke crashed over from the back of a scrum that had grabbed the ascendancy to level the scores in the 63^rd minute.

Pat Batey landed a penalty seven minutes later to the visitors in front 15-12.

On the rare occasion that the Two Blues did venture into the Blacks' territory from penalties, Brooke stole possession at the lineout.

"It was one of those games where you had to roll your sleeves up and knuckle down," Thomas said. "We do a lot of work on the scrum. I still think we are only at about 80 per cent. Technically we are getting better."

The slogfest, which was played in constant rain, was a classic game of two halves.

Wanderers, after conceding a try from a charge down, dominated and scored tries through wingers George Ashworth and Tim Marsh to lead 12-5 at the break.

However, a hip-flexor injured to Wanderers fullback and kicker Luke Simmons changed the momentum.

"Luke Simmons was outstanding before he went off," Thomas said. "As soon as we saw that, we knew if we turned them around, they would struggle to get out of that mud patch in the corner."

Wanderers coach Dan Beckett agreed that Simmons' injury was a "key moment in the game".

"We are here to play rugby and we couldn't play a lot of it in those conditions," Beckett said "We need to give credit to the opposition. They really flicked a switch at half-time. I thought we were getting a bit of ascendancy. Credit to them, they deserved the win."

As well as Brooke, hooker Phil Bradford, front-row partner Harrison Chapman and breakaway Nick Davidson led the way for the Blacks.

Dan Kevill and Ben Ham were the stand outs for the Two Blues.

The win moved Maitland above Wanderers into third spot on 33 points, a point behind co-leaders Merewether and Hamilton. Only three points separates first and fifth-placed Lake Macquarie.

In a further boost for Maitland, halfback Max Stafford played his first game for the season off the bench, while Chris Logan and Josh McCormack returned from injury in second grade. Captain Michael Howell is due back from an ankle injury next round.

"We are starting to get people back now which will create a lot of welcome headaches," Thomas said. "The blokes coming back have to put their hand up and show me why I need to pick them. The players I have already have been playing some really good rugby and winning."

Elswehere Saturday, Kosta Sykiotis, Eli McCulloch and Sam Rouse each crossed for doubles as Merewether lapped Southern Beaches 87-0 at Townson Oval.

At Strong Oval, Nelson Bay jumped out to a 31-0 lead against University before finishing 31-12 victors.

It was a similar story at Walters Park, where Lake Macquarie dominated early to open a 43-0 advantage on the way to a 50-19 triumph.

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