The usual handful of changes saw one of our most youthful packs take to the pitch against a heavier and more seasoned eight. Prop Tim Blades coming in for an impressive first start, while Liam Bailey was in the unusual pivotal No 8 position. It didn't phase him.

Acklam notched an early penalty before we got our act together.  Jake Linighan finding space out wide on the right to take a long pass from Painter to give himself a simple touchdown in the corner - just too far out for Sam Heron's conversion attempt.

Owen Westhorp was playing his first game in his preferred centre position, but had to leave the field on the quarter hour after a big tackle on his opposite number. To add insult to injury he was penalised for the tackle being late. Max Tennant came on with Will Hilditch joining Ollie Connolly in the centre - both going on to put in some great tackles.

But it was full back Sam Heron who showed the attacking skills by  starting what could well end up being the try of the season. He took an Acklam kick on his own 22; raced throoiugh a gap; chipped over two defenders, gathered the ball and raced through the midfield heading for the posts. He was caught just ten meters from the line but, as ever, Painter was in support to take a cheeky back handed pass from Sam to go over under the posts to give his side a 12-3 lead.

The Acklam pack had had the best of the heavy stuff, but it was the West pack who made their muscle felt where it mattered. Stu Waites clearing his lines with a tremdous kick from inside his own half which bounced into touch in the Acklam 22.

Linighan took the line-out ball and the West pack drove their opponents back with Blades celebrating his return with the touchdown. Once again Heron was just wide with his conversion.

Things were looking good at 17-3. However, Acklam were not daunted, and with Aidan Jackson-Smith in the bin for putting in a tackle when not retreating ten metres, they finished the half the stronger. Only two superb try saving tackles from Painter keeping  them out.

Acklam lost prop Jordan Rae shortly after the restart for the same offence as Aidan. With numbers even we attacked up the left with Max Tennant coming off his wing for a great run into the 22 where Acklam infringed at the breakdown. Heron gratefuly accepted the three points.

Unfortunately, that was to be the end of the West scoring for the next 37 minutes.

Acklam were happy to throw the ball around in the backs whenever the opportunity arose, and they got their reward with two quick tries as our tackling dropped below the mark. The first one converted and all of a sudden the 17 point margin was down to just five.

Heron missed a relatively easy penalty as both sides slugged it out with some nervousness among home supporters. They had seen the opposition score  tries in the last two home games with  the very last move of the game.

It happened again, but this time it was Liam Bailey who broke from the back of a scrum inside the Acklam 22 to force his way over to seal  the win and an important try bonus point.

Rovers at the New Friarage next week. They also have problems in getting players to travel-  going down 83-7 at Percy Park. Hopefully, we can get plenty of ours to get on the No 6 to Brus Corner.

West: Sam Heron, Will Hilditch, Owen Westhorp, Olli Connolly, Lewis Scott, Stu Waites, Ryan Painter (capt), Tim Blades, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Jake Linighan, Will Corbett, Owen Nugent, Alex Barker, Liam Bailey.

Changes (all used). Cameron Allison, Max Tennant, Cameron Mould

Tries: Linghan, Painter, Blades,  Bailey.

Cons: Heron (1)

Pens: Heron (1)

Yellow: Jackson-Smith.