Group 20 wooden spooners last year, Black and Whites showed signs they wouldn’t be lingering near the foot of the table in 2015.

Greasy conditions made handling difficult for both teams at EW Moore Oval, but the Panthers emerged victorious after outscoring the Blueheelers four tries to three.

Black and Whites co-coach Craig Morriss said it was the start his club was looking for.

“I was happy the way we played,” he said.

“The majority of the game we stuck to our game plan.

“We dropped away a little bit there for a while, but overall it was pretty good.

“Conditions weren’t the best for football, but both sides were there to play.

“It was one of those games that could’ve gone either way.”

Morriss, who is sharing the coaching duties with David Milne, said the Panthers dug in when the going was tough. 

“We stuck to a bit of structure and we played for each other,” he said. 

“Just the belief in each other was what I wanted to see and that seemed to happen.

“It was good seeing that develop.”

Hooker Andrew Lavaka, halfback Stephen Broome and Tutonu and Veti Mataa were among the standouts for Black and Whites, but Morriss said every player contributed.

It’s a trend he hopes continues as the season wears on.

“It (the win) is a good way to start,” Morriss said.

“But we’re under no illusions that next week’s game and every game for Black and Whites, coming from where we are, is going to be a hard game.

“There are no easy games as far as we’re concerned.

“Every team is there to win.

“I can’t see there being any easybeats this season.”

Milne, Kelvin Simpson, Tutonu Mataa and Lavaka were the try scorers for Black and Whites, while George Broome, Dwayne Sykes and Richie Bamblett crossed for the Blueheelers.