A Rob Thorn hat-trick and tries from both Cheslin twins and Peter Hodgson helped West to a healthy margin of victory despite looking just a little vulnerable in the opening stages of the second half. Pontefract would definitely rue going down a few scores early on as the half-time deficit of 24 points proved too much to overcome. West were perhaps guilty of losing some spark after the interval but credit should go to the visitors, well marshalled by Derek Eves, who showed they are well worthy of their mid-table position.

One of the biggest regrets for West after last week's loss to Aspatria was the slow start, and it was clear today that the message had been drummed home this week in training. West started very well with Rob Thorn catching the opening kick off and winning a kick-able penalty in the 22. Unfortunately the wind held up Paul Moss' attempt and it fell short. West weren't to be denied the first score though as Thorn went over in the corner with only 3 minutes on the watch.

Andy Cheslin scored the pick of the tries ten minutes later, on his first full start after coming on as a replacement last week. He started the move with a good break on half way before releasing Thorn up the touchline. The winger charged on and as the defence came across he skilfully slipped the ball inside to Gavin Painter who in turn showed good hands before Cheslin popped back up to finish the move.

Thorn added his second of the game with an interception try on 27 minutes before Hodgson crossed for a try under the posts, taking a nicely timed pass from Paul Rudd, a late replacement for the ill Jon Boatman.

It had been a dominating first half performance and nobody really expected Pontefract to put up any sort of a challenge in the second half, already trailing 24-0. However they started with more purpose and earned a try on 47 minutes when winger Lee Moorhouse broke down the touchline and his kick wasn't dealt with well, a succession of fumbles allowing Kim Williamson to drop on the loose ball for the score. Andy Dean failed with the conversion but the score ignited confidence in the Yorkshire side.

Four minutes later, prop Richard Mew broke through a gap in the West midfield and released Moorhouse who raced in under the posts. Dean was successful with the conversion this time and all of a sudden the deficit was halved and Pontefract were looking dangerous.

West steadied the ship momentarily when Colin Cheslin went on a streaking run, first down the touchline, then cutting inside to beat two men before being brought down a couple of metres short. He got his reward moments later though as from a short side move off the resulting scrum he scored a well deserved try.

The try gave West a bit of extra breathing space and although Pontefract continued to cause some problems the lead always seemed just that bit too much. Rob Thorn completed his hat-trick 5 minutes from time once again showing his finishing prowess, this treble taking his tally to 15 for the season, a truly impressive record given this was only his 14th appearance.

West travel back to Cumbria in a fortnights time to face Carlisle, and they'll be hoping that trip over the A66 proves a bit more fruitful than the last.


West: Painter (Thomas), Thorn, A Cheslin, Hodgson, C Cheslin, Moss, Tighe, Carr, A Dixon, Robinson (Norris), T Dixon, Davies, D Boatman (Garside), Tones, Rudd

Tries: Thorn 3, A Cheslin, Hodgson, C Cheslin
Cons: Moss 2

Pontefract: Novak, Moorhouse, Williamson, Dykes, Bateman, Dean, Fletcher, Laverick, Cahill, Mew, C Smith, Williams, Lowery, Scott, Eves
Reps: A Smith, Brady, Cooper

Tries: Williamson, Moorhouse
Con: Dean

Referee: Ray Sutherland [Durham Society]