The hosts had a number of opportunities in both halves and it took some last ditch defence, particularly mid-way through the second half, to stop a try. As it is West have not conceded a try in the last three games and their defensive record for the season speaks for itself – only 142 points against in 13 games – a little over 10 per game.

West have a week off now with Billingham unable to fulfil the County Cup fixture next weekend due to National Cup commitments and will be using that time to prepare for one of the toughest away trips of the season to Aspatira. Both defence and attack will have to be better than that on show today and West must work on ensuring they recycle quick ball as today showed how difficult it is to attack with slow ball.

Before setting out for York, West had been forced into some late changes with Dave Garside coming into the second row after a stomach bug ruled out Paul Rudd and alongside him was Tom Dixon, who stepped in for Carl Miller.

The first half had little to shout about and after Moss and Ventress traded early penalties York had the best chance of taking the lead when they looked to have scored only for the referee to decide that the ball was held up over the line.

As the half drew to a close Ventress missed a fairly easy shot at goal and York were left ruing the missed opportunity when minutes before the break Moss struck his second penalty to nudge West in front.

West started the second half more brightly and another Moss penalty on 42 minutes extended the lead but they still couldn't find a try. A missed penalty from Moss five minutes later kept York within a single score and West just couldn't get quick enough ball to generate any threatening attack.

When Moss added his fourth penalty of the game on 65 minutes it finally gave West the cushion of a two score lead but York were not about to give in. A fractious period of play brought the hosts several try scoring opportunities including a three on one overlap which was spurned by poor passing. As West eventually cleared, it led to the first try of the game. A quick penalty by Davy Tighe and some quickly recycled ball led to Rob Thorn having some space on the right flank and having been starved of ball most of the afternoon the winger raced down the flank all of 60 metres to score an excellent try.

Despite missing the conversion West finally had some daylight between the sides on the scoreboard and rounded off the win with a final try in stoppage time. As York attempted to run the ball out of their own half the ball went to ground and Colin Cheslin was on hand to pick up and run in a simple score.

West: Painter, Thorn, Hodgson, Edwards (Thomas), Cheslin, Moss, Tighe, Carr, A Dixon, Robinson (Norris), Garside, T Dixon, D Boatman, Tones (Best), J Boatman.

Tries: Thorn, Cheslin
Pens: Moss 4