This could – and should – have been a competition for West to win, given they are the highest-rated side in the Durham Intermediate Cup.
However, they lost tamely at Billingham on Saturday, the hosts playing the better rugby.
West were shy of a few of their top performers – the likes of Jonny Boatman, Neil Howe, Chris Lambert and Paul Rudd were missing – but the team produced a very poor effort.
After the previous poor derby fare served up at Horden and Rovers. West would have hoped Saturday’s quarter-final at Greenwood Road would have revived fortunes.
Alas, they never got into any gear and finished the tie in reverse.
Ironically, the way West began it looked like being a one-sided game.
Billingham hardly touched the ball in the first 15 minutes but West’s sole try came from Gavin Painter touching down on the left after West ran a kickable penalty.
The Durham Northumberland Division One team defended resolutely and when they reached the West 22 midway through the half, they levelled matters. A maul from a line-out close in was finished off by number eight Craig Daley.
It was the start of a good spell of Billingham pressure but West should have re-taken the lead on 32 minutes. Michael Young made a great break and West ran a penalty only to spill the ball in front of the home posts.
They were made to pay and after Shepherd brothers, Craig and Paul, impressed in attack, it was one of the three Evans brothers – centre Michael – who put Billingham ahead in first-half injury time. He went over from close range, for a try converted by brother Joe.
Amazingly, there is another “better” Evans coming through the youth ranks – Peter – who thankfully is not yet old enough.
West began the second half with some good pressure but could find no way through.
At this stage, Billingham went down to 14 men when Daley was sinbinned but when Billingham’s pack was pushed back over their own line Aaron Myers lost control of the ball as he attempted to touch it down.
That 53rd-minute escape proved something of a turning point.
West failed to threaten their hosts again and Billingham, with their tails up and running the ball with considerable menace, scored four tries in the last 13 minutes through Craig Shepherd, Paul Shepherd and two for Michael Evans who completed his hat-trick in injury time. Stand-off Joe converted only one.
West did get a 79th-minute try by Greg Edwards - converted by Tom Dixon - but it was no consolation.
Billingham: C Shepherd, P Shepherd, M Evans, Hyndman, Garbutt, J Evans, A Evans, Danny Robinson, Amos, Willis, Tennant, Dalton, Youdale, Dave Robinson, Daley (sinbin 53).
Tries: M Evans (3); Daley; C Shepherd, P Shepherd. Cons: J Evans (2)
West: Hare, Cheslin, Edwards, G Robinson, Painter, Tighe, Young (Moss 52), Carr, A Dixon, Norris (C Robinson 45) Henderson (Tones 61), T Dixon, Miller, Myers, D Boatman.
Tries: Painter; Edwards. Con: T Dixon
Referee: Mike Hodgson (Durham Society)