On the plus side we scored three tries of our own, and in the closing stages looked likely to add to that total and earn what would have been a deserved bonus point.
Injuries and absences once again came into effect - flanker Liam Bailey playing for the first time in 18 months and putting in a battling performance which earned him Man of the Match.
We started well and could have taken the lead when Gavin Painter broke from his own 22 to send Scott Butcher racing away up the right wing only to be stopped just short of the line.
We continued to battle away but went behind on the quarter hour when Adam Coates couldn't take a high pass. Instead, it fell kindly to Penrith winger Ben Littleton who raced home from the half way line.
Five minutes later he crossed again as the West defence was stretched along the line with Matt Allinson converting to give his side a 12-0 lead.
Penrith had their tails up and earned their try bonus point with tries from scrum half George Graham, who intercepted on the half way line to go in at the corner, quickly followed by winger Jamie McNaughton who outpaced the home defence after turnover ball just inside the Penrith half.
We continued to try to play expansive rugby and got the reward when winger Joe Willis cut inside on a fifty metre run which set up a series of attacks. Paul Moss burst through from the 22 and when he was stopped short quick ball from Ryan Painter gave Will Hilditch the opportunity to step inside the cover to go over.
We turned round at 22-7 down and a Gavin Painter penalty reduced the arrears only for Penrith to increase their tally with a pushover try. It was followed by a score from centre Jay Rossi who made the most of three missed tackles to go over with some ease to give his side a commanding 34-10 lead.
We came back with a series of drives which eventually saw Scott Butcher dive over from close range (pictured) to set Gav up for an easy conversion.
Any hopes we had of closing the gap further disappeared when replacement Brad Taylor raced in from 20 meters.
We did get a third try with an interception of our own from Will Hilditch who was able to evade the chasing cover.
However, that was the end of the West scoring as Taylor closed the game with his second try.
West: Zac Southern, CeeJay Beales, Will Hilditch, Paul Moss, Joe Willis, Gavin Painter, Ryan Painter (captain), Andrew Rollins, Jordan Foulds, Adam Coates, Joe Rafferty, John Bunter, Scott Butcher, Liam Bailey, Andy Turner.
Replacements (all used): Matt Siddle, Craig Hadwen, Jay Corbett.
Tries: Hilditch (2) Butcher.
Conversion: G Painter (2)
Penalties G Painter (1)
Penrith: Ed Swale, Jamie MacNaughton, Jay Rossi, Matt Allinson, Ben Littleton, Ross Jackson, George Graham, Lee Chapman, Ian McDowell, Adam Howe, Dan Richardson, Ryan Johnson, Andrew Holcroft, Liam Tunstall , Mike Raine
Changes (all used): Will Morgan, Josh Dowson, Brad Taylor
Tries: Littleton (2), Graham, McNaughton McDowell, Rossi, Taylor (2)
Conversions: Allinson (4)
Referee: Sam O'Neill (Northumberland).