Stockton were straight out of the traps launching a series of attacks on our line which saw Scott Butcher yellow carded. The visitors eventually finding a way over in the left corner to give themselves a deserved seven point lead.

We also lost Will Hilditch early on to ankle injury, and there was a feeling it was going to be one of those days.

Fortunately, a pack with a useful blend of youth and experience dug in and we eventually achieved parity when a rejuvenated Adam Coates burst through the middle. With the Stockton defence stretched the  ball was quickly recycled to the right wing where Liam Bailey was waiting to score. Stu Waites' conversion from near the touchline was across the strong breeze but sailed through the posts.

The pressure was maintained, but we left two scores on the pitch when Owen Westhorp was in lots of space on the right wing. On each occasion the ball unfortunately went to ground.

Stockton also managed to withstand a series of attacks on their line while conceding a handful of penalties. They were full of whooping and hollering when the last blast from Mr Cash's whistle went their way after we infringed on our own put-in.

And they made the most of it by forcing their way back up the pitch to create space on the left where  flanker Todd Highfield  made up the extra numbers to go over to give Stockton a 14-7 lead at the break.

It wasn't to last as "Fosters' Fish Grill Man of the Match" Adam Coates scored just two minutes after the restart. We'd begun the half in determined mood and when Ryan Painter used his strength to  pressure the line Coatesy was there to collect and dive over from close range. 

The scores were level but Stockton regained their lead with a penalty in front of the posts.

However, the restart gave us the opportunity to use the elements to concentrate play in the right hand corner at the clubhouse end, and we finally  took the lead through Adam Brown.  Scott Butcher took line-out ball to put the defenders on the back foot with Brown in support to go over. The conversion giving us a four point breathing space.

That margin was increased with fifteen minutes left on the clock, and this time it was the backs who came up with the score to give us the bonus point.

Stu Waites set it up with well judged long pass out to his right with Lewis  Scott coming off his left wing to speed over from ten yards.

The successful kick gave us an 11 point margin, but that was whittled down to just six when full back Robert Carney jinked his way through the West defence from fully 45 metres. The missed conversion took some of the  pressure off the home supporters. However, the try of the afternoon did give Stockton a deserved losing bonus point. 

The win moved us back to fifth place level on points with Medicals who are our visitors in three weeks' time. We are one of five clubs separated by just two points- now we need to start getting some wins on the road.

West: Zac Southern, Owen Westhorp, Sam Heron, Ollie Connolly, Will Hilditch, Stu Waites, Ryan Painter (capt),  Adam Coates, Adam Hutchinson, Adam Brown, Chris Atkins, Michael Hogan, Tom Robertson, Liam Bailey, Scott Butcher.

Changes: Lewis Scott, Will Corbett, Cameron Allison.

Tries: Bailey, Coates, Brown, Scott.

Cons: Waites (4).

Yellow: Butcher.

Stockton: Rob Carney, Steve Bartliff, Jonathan Horner, Joe Hargreaves, Tom Lloyd, Ritchie Young, Matty Crowe, Sean Jones, Lewis Gray, Dan Muirhead, Steve Taylor, Dan Kidd, Todd Highfield, Charles Dohery, Scott Powell.

Changes: Jon Cheetham. Tom Nelson, James Burdon.

Ref: Les Cash (Durham Society).