Both sides were depleted by holiday absences, but with Matt Siddle (pictured) leading the way with some sharp tackling we toughed it out to finish the stronger. We will now face Blaydon in the semi final – the Tynesiders going through by virtue of Horden conceding the weekend tie.
We had already scored 14 tries in their two warm up games at Rochdale and Middlesbrough and started off in great fashion.
City had gone ahead through a penalty kick from full back Phil Stewart before Jay Corbett – playing in an unaccustomed role in the second row – finished off a lot of pressure on the visiting line by forcing his way over with Zac Southern converting.
Our speed and power had City on the back foot, and they went further behind when full back Eldon Myers came into the line to create space for Liam Checksfield to outflank the defence to give his side a 12-3 advantage.
City finally adjusted and made their way into the West half where flanker Chris Metcalfe proved unstoppable from three meters. Stewart missed the conversion, but from the restart City were handed the advantage when the kick did no go ten meters.
A couple of deft kicks from fly half Paul Armstrong got them into the corner, and when Zac Southern's clearing kick was charged down they kept up their pressure with a push over try touched down by Benny Parkinson.
Stewart's conversion gave the visitors the lead, which was stretched to four points with another penalty.
Stewart was on target again as the half drew to a close with a 40 meter penalty, after West were penalized for not releasing.
However, we limited the damage with a penalty of their from Southern right on the half time whistle to make it 19-15 to City at the break.
We began the second half in more resolute mood - camping in the visitor's half. Unfortunately we were thwarted by a succession of penalties, which led to skipper Danny Boatman being yellow carded after a conversation with the referee.
That didn’t stop the flow with Eldon Myers growing more prominent and actually crossing the line after a burst down the left wing. However, he was judged to have been held up, and play was brought back to the 22 where City centre Gary Izomor was sent to the sin-bin for an earlier high tackle.
We continued to press and after another penalty award ten meters out Checksfield was the first to react forcing his way over from a tap and go to put West into the lead by just that one point.
Any thoughts City had of restoring their lead in the final minutes were thwarted by the West pack shoving them backwards, and by some superb offensive tackling from 17 year old Matt Siddle whose first start at scrum half for the senior side was memorable.
West: Eldon Myers, Tom Armstrong Liam Checksfield, Paul Moss, Peter Youll, Zac Southern, Matt Siddle, Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins, Tim Blades, John Bunter, Jay Corbett, Alex Barker, Lee Maddison, Dan Boatman (capt).
Tries: Checksfield (2), Corbett.
Cons: Southern
Pens: Southern
Yellow: Boatman
Reps: Connor McLurg, Adam Brown, Jordan Foulds, Ross Wood, Greg Edwards, Rob Thorn, Matt Tyers.
City: Phil Stewart, Rob Smith, Gary Izomor, Bradley Pears, Sam Heron, Paul Armstrong, Will Paxton, Tim Mackay, Mike Hay, Benny Parkinson, Kevin Showler, Kyle Wilson, Chris Metcalfe, Craig Dominick, Tom Baty.
Reps: Josh White, Colin Hogg, Josh Cotton, Arnie Stevenson, James Earley.
Tries: Metcalfe, Parkinson.
Pens: Stewart (3)
Yellow: Izomor
Referee: Matt Dun (Durham)