As has been a feature of most games this season West got off to the worst possible start and were 10-0 down after 15 minutes. Lack of concentration and poor tackling to blame.
The early City scores shook West but they knuckled down to a orderly pattern and scored immediately with Hadwen crossing the whitewash wide out after 20 minutes - Southern with the extras from wide out.
This continued with 2 more great tries. The first through the ever improving Frazer and then through the man of the match Moss - a 70 yarder non the less. Both being converted well by Southern.
The concentration again went out of the window with only seconds remaining on the referees whistle when City scored under the posts making it 21-17 at half time.
Following the break City were first to strike which they did in quick succession to storm into a 29-21 lead.
After being off the pitch to repair his pie valve, Moss returned to the fold and after some Eddie Jones type tinkering from the coaches he crashed over for his brace. 29-28.
As the match went into its last quarter things began to become tense with the Stags opting for a penalty from Southern to make it 31-29 to West.
At this stage the game could have been taken by either team. City put together a great backs move and shifted the ball to their big winger who stormed down the Catcote Road side of the pitch for a super score 34-31.
The last word was to be Wests however when after conceding a penalty close to the 10 meter line Southern cooly slotted the penalty to draw the scores and which would be the final act of the game.
Credit to Durham for a great game. From the West point of view Hadwen and Hamilton require special mention for playing 2 games in as many days. Stand out for West were Block at slackhead, Frazer in the row, Brown in the backrow and the previously mentioned man of the match Paul Moss. Apologies to the fellas that didn't get on.
Final Score 34-34
Next week away at Consett.
Stags:- Hadwen, Mould, Clayton, Frazer, Tyers (c), Shaw, Miller, Brown, Siddle, Southern, Dhillon, Tyers, Moss, Allott, Quinn
Reps:- Hamilton, Coull, Foster, Riggers, GF, Titch, Immy, Bully.
Ref : Doc English - Durham Society (last man standing in the Club with Club Ambassador Bash Miller)
Food :- Chicken pasta 7.5/10 - a tad more tomato needed.