The less time spent describing the first half the better, it was about as attractive as a Christmas shopping trip to Asda and was probably even less eventful. A Paul Moss penalty after 3 minutes looked like being the solitary score of the half before Carl Robinson crashed over deep into injury time. The try was, literally, greeted with a collective sigh of relief rather than a cheer and Moss' conversion put a probably undeserved gloss on the half time scoreline, 10-0.

The second half was an entirely different story. Right from the off West showed greater pace, power and precision than in the first forty minutes and the tone was set with a try almost from the kick off. Half-time substitute Rob Thorn almost collected the restart and when West did eventually turn the ball over an astute chip by Moss was collected by Gavin Painter who coasted in for the score.

Cue the opening of the floodgates. Moss was involved again in the next try, his pass releasing Jon Boatman to cut through the middle before the ball was moved out to Colin Cheslin who finished in the corner. With a little over 5 second half minutes played the visitors must have wondered what had changed so drastically at the interval!

Thorn got his name on the score-sheet with an hour played, finishing off a move started by Cheslin, who had a fine game following his promotion from the Stags. The second team players have certainly shown, when required, their capability to step up and do a job for the first team.

The pick of the tries was scored after 66 minutes and was a superb solo effort from Painter. Aldwinians had put together their best attack of the game, gradually moving play into the West 22 and looking threatening. But West managed to turn the ball over and with possession moved quickly wide Painter seized his opportunity and raced away beating several defenders on his way to a fantastic try. Moss converted and suddenly the game had been turned on its head, the scoreline now 34-0.

As the visitors continued to tire, Thorn and Painter both completed deserved hat-tricks – Thorn adding two tries is as many minutes, first hacking on and collecting a loose ball and secondly finishing off a simple overlap following a good break from Davy Tighe. Painter's third score, the final act of the match was another simple finish in the corner following a quick tap penalty.

Ignoring the slow start, perhaps excusable given the two week break since the last game, it was a pleasing afternoon for the league leaders. Completing the victory and adding some important positives into the points difference column (maybe not such good news for Points West members!).

There were no injuries to note so West should have a full squad available for the traditional Boxing Day fixture against Rovers. If the game proves anything as dramatic as the league encounter earlier in December the bumper crowd should be in for a festive treat!


West: Painter, Hare (Thorn), Hodgson, Howe, C Cheslin, Moss, Tighe, Norris (Coates), A Dixon, Robinson, T Dixon, Miller, D Boatman, J Boatman, Garside (Tones).

Tries: Robinson, Painter 3, Cheslin, Thorn 3
Cons: Moss 4
Pen: Moss

Aldwinians: Johnson, Hughes, Worrall, Taylor, Thorley, Mooney, Thorpe, Bradley, Young, Kitchen, Williams, Jennings, Quinn, Palmer, Gidman
Reps: Tilston, Benson, Spivey


Referee: Ray Sutherland [Durham Society]