There were outstanding performances from the likes of 18 year old hooker Liam Bailey, the man of the match, Scott Jordan and a host of others.
West and Billingham swapped leagues last season so the home side had something to prove.
We set about the task straight from the kick off with Chocky Davies powering over after a series of sharp attacks orchestrated by Andrew Foreman.
Moss, playing at inside centre, converted but Billingham came back and winger Craig Shepherd had an easy run in to make it 7-5.
Both sides were looking threatening when they had possession.
But it was Andrew Foreman who extended the West lead on 25 minutes after going on the blind side.
We kept up the pressure and winger Adam Larkin increased the lead on 34 minutes with a superb solo effort. He was forced to take the ball almost at a standstill but still went round his marker and sped home from 20 metres.
It was proving to be a hard fought game and Chocky was sin binned just before the break - after a fracas on the half way line.
Billingham took advantage with former West Colt Will Turnbull going over after concerted pressure to make it 17-10 at the break.
Both sides made changes at the break but it was West who showed they had the strength in depth.
Centre Paul Moss raced through a gap. Then full back Scott Jordan scored two superb individual tries to set us up for a season in North One East.
West 38 Billingham 10
By Dave Picken - September 22 2010Two tries
Neither Tim Sawyer nor Kevan Oliphant could be at Brinkburn but they will both return to a selection headache with competition for virtually every position. For the second week in a row the side ran in 6 tries against higher league opposition.
The Stags/Bucks/Ams beat Barnard Castle by 5 tries to 2.