The wide open spaces called for an expansive game but both sides became frustrated by the whistle at seemingly every breakdown.

On the first occasion we did get the ball out we went ahead in some style.

No.8 Sam Miller had another excellent game and he opened up the space (above)  when he broke from the back of a scrum in his own 22 to send Ryan Painter clear up the right wing. He timed his pass to Joe Willis who wasn't going to be caught despite having a 60 metre run in.

Gavin Painter converted from near the touchline. He was on target again with a penalty on the quarter hour when home skipper Ed Cawthorn deliberately knocked on as wet moved the ball along the home 22.

The "home" side then had their best spell of the game pressing on our line, which led to a succession of penalties as we tried to keep the Northern forwards out.  Sam Miller eventually took one for the team and was sin binned by Cumbrian official Martin Maughan.

However, the depleted West pack managed to keep their try line intact with Stu Waites' clearing kick going deep into the Northern half.

Aaron Myers had started the game in a dominant West back row, and his reputation earned him some extra attention from Northern defenders throughout the afternoon.  He was tackled off the ball as we attacked, and the resulting melee saw  Liam Bailey and Northern hooker Gareth Henderson also going to the bin for continuing their personal battle after the Ref's whistle had gone.

Despite being down to 13 men we held out comfortably - but did concede a penalty late in the half when Sam Miller was penalised for coming in at the side.

We looked to play a more expansive game in the second half with Miller and Aaron Myers bursting through the middle at every opportunity to keep Northern on the back foot.

Myers almost forced his way over on 45 minutes, and then Miller almost got to a high clearance kick from Gavin Painter. A kinder bounce would have almost certainly seen him steam home from 25 metres.

Prop Michael Hogan was the next to be stopped just short of the line, but there was no denying replacement  Adam Coates. He made the most of a great break along the right wing involving Scott Butcher and Eldon Myers to find a gap to go over from five metres.

Gavin Painter's conversion gave us a two score lead and we continued to press a tiring Northern who failed to get into our 22 at all in the second half.

We got our reward when the lively Ryan Painter was the first to react to a penalty decision 15 metres out and skipping passed three defenders to go over. Brother Gavin unusually missing with his conversion.

Northern: James Stewart-Menteith, Dom Fawcett, Paddy Harper, Chris Hood, Dean Holliday, Donal Collins, Lester Bell, Laurence Troke, Gareth Henderson, Sam Wilson, Ed Kell, Jamie Powell, Phil Kay, Ed Cawthorn (captain), Tom Schofield.

Replacements (all Used) Matt Hirst, Dave Snodin, Jimmy Crowther.

Pens: Collins (1).

Yellow: Henderson.

West: Stu Waites, Joe Willis, Eldon Myers, Peter Youll, Scott Butcher, Gavin Painter, Ryan Painter, Michael Hogan, Andrew Rollins, Jack Angus, Joe Rafferty, Dan Boatman (captain), Liam Bailey, Aaron Myers, Sam Miller.

Replacements (all used): John Bunter, Adam Coates, Greg Edwards.

Tries: Willis, Coates, R Painter.

Cons: G Painter (2)

Pens: G Painter (1)

Yellow: Miller, Bailey.

Referee: Martin Maughan (Cumbria)