Rovers fielded an experienced monster pack, although they were missing player coach Josh Bragman whose kicking won them the league game earlier in the month.

We had to call on several lads back in town for the festivities - notably John Bunter who hadn't touched a rugby ball since he was injured at  Cleckeaton two years ago. He fancied a bit of a run-out and then  stayed on the pitch for the full 80 minutes. His line-out work with skipper Jake Linighan was a major feature.

Max Filby was also a late call up, when it was realised the former West junior was back from Edinburgh University, and he had a tremendous game in the back row alongside Ben Armstrong and Adam Brown.  Up front Craig Hadwen, Aidan Jackson-Smith and Adam Hutchinson got through mountains of work.

There was also a new half back pairing with Matt Siddle rejoining the club after playing full back for Thurrock in London One North. He might have started at scrum half, but that shirt went to Sam Heron with Matt at fly-half.  Heron revels in being among the action and his dynamic display kept us on the front foot.

It was also great to see Matt Tyers back in action on the wing after his long injury lay-off with the Tennant brothers taking ther places in the backs.

The bench was pretty spartan, and youthful, with Alfie Powell coming on at full back for the second half and Ben Briggs finishing off a second half try. It all added up to a totally unfamilar West side - one which would have been heaped with praise just for turning out to make sure the Boxing Day game was on.

So, no pressure to actually win the game from the West supporters. However, the strength of individual character which led these lads putting themselves  forward for selection soon became evident on the field.

The first half was pretty even with West shading the territory and some good runs from Ollie Connolly keeping us on the attack. Rovers went ahead through a Ryan Foreman penalty and a try in the corner from Curtis Ross.

Unfortunately, several mistakes close to the Rovers line allowed the home side to clear the danger, and they managed to go  8-0 ahead before  losing Liam Armstrong to a red card after 28 minutes for punching Craig Hadwen in the head.

We had been holding our own in the scrum against a much heavier pack and took advantage against seven men. Unfortunately, we still couldn't reduce the arrears before the break.

Rovers regrouped and went further ahead through a rolling maul while Jake Linighan was in the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on.

At 15-0 the home crowd was sensing another derby win. However, a West  side which had been very much a bunch of strangers at 1.00 o clock produced some real team spirit to get back in the game. 

The score finally came courtesy of a penalty kick to the corner with the Rovers defence unable to stop the drive. Sam Heron's kick from out wide on the right was not his best of the day.

We continued to attack and got our second  of the afternoon after  a series of forward drives. The ball was quickly moved out wide with full back Alfie Powell coming into the line. He could have scored himself, but drew the last defender to send Ben Briggs in at the corner for a score the youngster will long remember.

Sam was again wide, but he nailed his next difficult conversion to give us the lead for the first time. Rovers were now down to 13 after a yellow card for a winger - once again we kicked for the corner and another successful catch and drive.

The next score would be the crucial one and with our tails up it was the hard working Adam Brown who claimed it. Heron set it up for him with a neat grubber kick into the corner with the prop turned No.8 showing a neat turn of speed to touch down for his second of the afternoon.

After being 15-0 down we were now leading 22-15 and there was still time for a final flourish. Another concerted attack in the Rovers 22 and quick ball out to the right allowed  Max Tennant to dive over to add the icing to the Christmas cake.

Now the monkey is literally off our backs we need to build on this performance  to start winning away league games. 

Before that the Stags host Rovers Heughers on Tuesday for the Bill Bowden Memorial Trophy  kick off 2.00.

West: Lewis Scott, Jake Tennant, Max Tennant, Ollie Connolly,  Matt Tyers, Matt Siddle, Sam Heron, Craig Hadwen, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Jake Linighan (captain), John Bunter,  Ben Armstrong, Max Filby, Adam Brown.

Bench: Cameron Mould, Ben Briggs, Alfie Powell.

Tries: Brown (2), Armstrong, Brigs, M. Tennant.