We had to be content with just one point as both sides battled it out against a gale which blew almost straight down the pitch. We had our chances and gifted Westoe one try, but the visitors just about deserved their win.

On the plus side, the Stags finally got a strong side out. A number of first team squad members were able to help the youngsters in the team record a 42-12 win at Peterlee and Horden.

Back at Brinkburn we had the benefit of the wind behind us in the first half - going into an early lead when a patient build up eventually saw Adam Coates crash through a gap, with Sam Heron adding the extras.

Nobody was in any doubt that you had to take your chances when you had the benefit of the elements, but several opportunities were wasted as overlaps were ignored. Max Tennant did go over but the pass from Heron was judged to be forward.

Westoe were up for this game and defended doggedly with scrum half Sam Seymour going to the bin for a high tackle after 25 minutes.

The p[ack was more  than holding its own in the set pieces, but we couldn't make possession count until five minutes before the break. Ollie Connolly ran a great line to receive after Andy Turner picked up from a scrum which was moving forward giving Ryan Painter the opportunity to pick his man.

Sam was wide, but the 12-0 scoreline was some comfort - until the restart. The kick hung in the wind as two West players seemed to be leaving it for each other allowing  the Westoe winger Matthew Parks to steam in to collect and go over from our 22.

Worse was to come as the score lifted Westoe who immediately attacked up the right and seized their chance from close range to make it 12-12 at the break.

The second half played out much like the first with West defending manfully and Westoe trying all they could to use the many kicks to the corner to force a try.

They didn't have it all their own way as we forced our way upfield - camping in their 22 for some ten minutes. The pressure  saw two Westoe players sent to the bin as they defended on their line, but still we couldn't breach their defence.

There was much hooping and hollering from the visitors when they finally were able to clear with a long kick downfield, and they eventually took the lead for the first time on the hour. The West defence was sucked in creating space out left with the Westoe centre Connor Pascoe able to cruise over to give his side a 19-12 lead.

There was plenty of effort as we looked to repeat the heroics against Percy Park but it wasn't to be . Westoe did have penalty in front of the posts,  which  would have denied us that losing bonus point. Perhaps deservedly for the hard working West squad it went under the bar.

Stockton away next week as we head for the last chance saloon. 

West: Lewis Scott, Owen Westhorp, Sam Heron, Ollie Connolly, Max Tennant, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter, Tim Blades, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adsam Coates, Jake Linighan, Michael Hogan, Liam Bailey, Isaac Robinson, Andy Turner.

Reps (all used): Chris Atkins, Tom Robertson, Will Hilditch.

Tries: Coates, Connolly.

Con: Heron

South Shields Westoe: Luke Moffett, Matthew Parks, Connor Pascoe, Michael Potts, Robert Richardson, Jamie Preston, Sam Seymour, Ryan Lamb, Raymie Elliott, Rob Scorer, Andrew Kirton,  Anthony Rumis, Paul Evans, Joe McKenzie, Martin Bengston.

 Reps (all used): Mark Bentham ,John Younghusband , Rhys Reynolds