The 45-15 win over the Lions snapped a four-game losing run and was built on a strong set piece.

“The scrum was non-contested for some of the second half but we made some good inroads there in the first half,” Red Devils coach Jason Waerea said.

The Red Devils led 19-3 at half-time after making the better of what Waerea thought was a 50-50 split of possession in the first half.

The Lions did though, he noted, defend well and scramble well to stop some good line breaks.

Waerea’s message at half-time was to stay composed and “keep chipping away at the defensive line and wait for the gaps to open up”.

Which they did, running in 26 points in the second half.

He said the Lions particularly caused them some problems at lineout time.

“They held their own in the lineouts,” he said.

“They pressured any front ball and jumped well across two and four pressuring us into a few overthrows.”

Russell Johnston, Jeremy Brown, Jamie Mitchell, Joe Hinchey and Zac Newcombe also found the tryline in the seven tries to three victory.

Newcombe also took on the kicking duties and landed five conversions to also pick up the zone three best and fairest points.

After impressing at five-eighth the previous week against Pirates and in the “best interest of continuity” Waerea said they decided to stick with him at 10, leaving Mitchell and Jono Madden to team up in the centres. 

He remarked that the midfield “had a great day”. 

The backrow were also outstanding as the club points reflected with Nick Lyons, playing at number eight, earning the three, Dan Brown the two and Jeremy Brown the one.

Waerea said it was also good to see DJ Morrison return at fullback.

“He had plenty of ball and linked well with (wingers) Bill (Flynn) and Oscar (Hunt),” he said.  

Will Elsely and Elliot Tourle crossed for the home side, Tourle also kicking a field goal.