West got off to the perfect start when some early pressure saw a penalty awarded to the home team, which Paul Moss slotted easily after only three minutes; 3 - 0. West forwards were quickly into their stride and began to dominate and as the game went on they were making significant yards with a number of catch and drives from the lineout and some solid scrimmaging. A clever kick by Wallis forced Middlesbrough to carry ball over for a 5mtr scrum. Although West lost the ball against the head some aggressive defence forced the turnover and Zac Southern made a nice break before feeding Dom Stead for the first try after ten minutes, Moss converting; 10 - 0.

Middlesbrough had a couple of opportunities to open their account with some fairly straightforward penalties from some West indiscipline, but they were unable to convert them. Wests forwards produced some good front-foot ball for the backs to use, which they did effectively with some good attacking play and intelligent kicking. As the pressure built on the Middlesbrough line a 5mtr lineout on twenty-three minutes, saw another catch and drive and when the maul collapsed over the line the last person up with the ball was Tom Dixon with the try, Moss converting well from wide out; 17 - 0. Middlesbrough got their first score on the board after twenty-five minutes with a penalty in front of the posts.  As the game went on West grew in confidence and started to string some phases together, assisted by some strong forward running from the likes of Michael Hogan, Tom Dixon and Alex Barker. After a number of good phases of play the ball was spun along the back line for Michael Charlton who popped up on the wing to cross in the corner on thirty-six minutes, Moss was unable to convert from wide out; 22 - 3. The final points of the half went to Wasps when they got their second penalty of the game in the fortieth minute, leaving the half time score 22 - 6.

With a slight cushion in the score West were settled into their stride and started to play some good rugby. Their forwards continued to dominate the Middlesbrough pack and when West worked they way up the field they earned a 5mtr scrum from which Phil Henderson powered over the line on forty-eight minutes, Moss putting the ball between the post for the two extra points; 29 - 6.

West made a few changes early in the second half with Davy Tighe, Peter Hodgson Andy Turner coming on for Ryan Painter, Paul Miller and Michael Charlton respectively. Playing at pace West were able to keep the ball live through the phases and with some creative running and offloads gaps began to appear in all areas of the field, and on sixty minutes Dom Stead was on the end of a flowing move to cross in the corner for his second try, Moss unable to convert from wide out; 34 - 6. After a good run out Dom Stead was then replaced by Darren Thomas and Alex Barker went off injured to be replaced by Luke Mills

The next phase of play and try was probably the outstanding moment of the game and really summed up how the Stags aim to play. Straight from the restart Chris Young gathered the ball and fed it on to Andy Turner coming at pace, he made a strong run shrugging off several would be challenges before again popping the ball to more of the supporting West forwards. The move continued up the field with continuous offloads and good running, between backs and forwards, featuring Luke Mills, Michael Hogan, Tom Dixon and Greg Edwards with the final pass going back to the ever available Chris Young, 80mtrs from where he first touch the ball, who crossed for a magnificent team try, Moss finished this off with a fine conversion; 41 – 6. 

Late on Michael Hogan was taken off for a well earned rest and replaced by Andy Palmer. The final West score  on seventy-five minutes again came from them going through the phases and when Zac Southern found himself in the Wasps twenty-two he easily beat a couple of defenders to score in the corner to round of a fine game, he was however unable to convert; 46 – 6. In the final few minutes Middlesbrough showed good spirit and battled their way up the field before eventually scoring in the corner, although the conversion was missed leaving the final score 46 – 11.       

This was a very good all round team performance and excellent result. There is certainly strength in depth in the club at the moment and it was very encouraging to see Andy Turner stepping up into the Stags team and putting in an excellent performance. 

Next week  sees the Stags take on Billingham away in the Candy League, which again promises to be another tough fixture. 

Starting XV:

Z Southern, C Butcher, P Moss, P Miller, D Stead, P Wallis, R Painter, M Hogan, A Dixon (c), R Wood, T Dixon, M Charlton, C Young, A Barker, P Henderson

Res:

D Tighe, A Palmer, P Hodgson, L Mills, D Thomas, A Turner