After four consecutive losses, the Moree Boars are back in the winners' circle after a resounding win over the Armidale Rams at Boughton Oval on Saturday.
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The Boars got straight onto the front foot, running in two tries in the opening minutes, and didn't look back.
They ran in another three tries and held the Rams to just one to go into the half time break with a 28-4 lead.
The trend continued in the second half, with the Rams scoring just one more try while the Boars added six of their own, earning an emphatic 56-10 victory.
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Boars coach Stan Swan said it was a well balanced display, with both attack and defence standing out in the win.
"I thought the boys played pretty well," Swan said.
"We had a few new blokes come into the squad and they were a big help for us on the weekend."
While piling on 11 tries is an impressive feat for the Boars, it was the defensive efforts that pleased Swan the most.
After conceding 190 points in their last four games, defence has been a real focus for the Boars and Swan said it was great to see the hard work paying off.
"The boys were really digging in for each other," he said.
Halfback Adrian Smith was a standout for the Boars. Normally playing two games, Smith benefited from the absence of an under-18s game to score a hat-trick in the big win.
Newcomer James Duncan was also strong in the centres, as were second rower Brett Wright and Anthony Smith, who normally plays centre but filled in at second row.
After having to deal with a number of injuries over the last month, the Boars are close to being back to full strength with some new faces proving handy additions and the majority of players still on the sidelines due back either in the next week or two, just in time for finals.
Before they get there, however, they face a very tough test against top-of-the-table Glen Innes Magpies.
The Boars were right in the contest last time they faced, but ultimately went down 46-38.
Swan knows they're a dangerous side, with particular focus on hooker Guy Mepham, and he wants to see the same defensive efforts they produced on Saturday.
"They've got big forwards, we've just got to slow the play the ball down and win the ruck," Swan said.
"They're a team that can score from anywhere."
In the ladies league tag, the Boars continued their winning ways in a 20-8 win over the Rams.
The win now takes the Boars to first position on the ladder, on equal points with the Rams but boasting a superior points difference.
