'We made an easy game look hard,' commented coach Paul Montgomery, whilst back coaches Graeme and Zak Southern settled for a more pragmatic, 'This gives us plenty to work on!' - although the initial response from Messrs Southern was a little more robust.

The game kicked off in perfect conditions for rugby and both sides battled hard for supremacy. West took an early lead from a penalty by in-form kicker William Hilditch who effortlessly stroked the ball over from 30 metres. However, it was the visitors who took the early initiative with some good early pressure.

The West boys defended well and it was a characteristically tenacious bit of defence from flanker Isaac Robinson who broke up an attacking scrum with a clever kick ahead and an excellent pick up that raised spirits. After soaking up a little more Mowden pressure, West took the ball up to the visitors' line, helped by some powerful running from Shane Jeffery who had a storming game in the loose and James Baxter who turned in another battling performance.

The West pack set up an attacking platform and Callum Montgomery drove hard for the line then popped the ball to Baxter who returned the compliment for Montgomery to smash over the line, Hilditch adding the conversion for a 10-0 half time lead.

The second half followed the same pattern of play. Mowden started the better, but will rue some poor decision making and basic errors. Indeed errors were the order of the day for the home side too, as they spilled quite a few simple passes and struggled to play their usual mix of high octane rugby with close passing and swarming support.

Fortunately, there are plenty of match winners in this West side and although Mowden had several chances to score, it was no surprise when West increased their lead. After a surging run from the powerful Jeffery took the ball to the home 10m line, outside half Ben Read spotted a gap in the home defence and switched the ball to the right, drawing the cover and feeding Hilditch. Hilditch straightened the line and fed CJ Beales who roared along the touchline and scored under the posts. Hilditch adding the conversion. Reed was at the heart of the battle, making several big tackles and trying to ignite the talented back line outside him.

A powerful drive from Jack Mason, the West pack secured the ball on the home 22m line in front of the posts. The ball was scrambled back and a beautiful piece of skill from Read saw him dive to scoop up the ball and simultaneously throw the ball wide to Beales. The pacy winger still had plenty of work to do but left the Mowden defence clutching at thin air as he touched down near the right hand corner, Hilditch narrowly missing a tough conversion.

Mowden sportingly played the fixture despite sending seven players to the Durham County squad. They can rightly feel aggrieved to have come away with little reward for their efforts. The home side can take consolation from the victory: although they can certainly play better, they showed tenacious defence and did well to deny a talented Mowden side.

Poor discipline resulting in a high penalty count and careless handling all contributed to a lacklustre display - but the emergence of Jeffery in the loose, some sublime skills by Robinson and the calm, measured play of Reed were of some consolation for the home fans. The Rhinos also welcomed back Billy Storm to the squad.

The players, coaches and parents of West Hartlepool would like to thank Tony Wilson of the Durham Society for officiating the game.

David Wells, CJ Beales, Callum Johnston, William Hilditch, Michael Hainsworth (Ben Foley), Ben Reed, Baden Knibbs, Callum Montgomery, James Baxter, Alex Hester, Danny Fox (James Piper), Shane Jeffery, Isaac Robinson, George Wall (capt.) (Billy Storm), Jack Mason
Replacement: Charles Tilly; Adam Lennard guested for Mowden Park