The day had not started well. The coaches were already without seasoned performers Adam Brown, Michael Hogan, Liam Bailey and Scott Butcher in the pack and Stu Waites, Max Tennant and Lewis Scott in the backs. Alex Barker also had to withdraw on the morning because of injury.

The result of lot of frantic phone calls was that the Stags squad to play Blaydon in the Cup was down to just ten men - leading to a very late and very regrettable cry-off.

In came Craig Hadwen, who had an excellent sixty minutes in the second row, and Zac Southern at full back. Fortunately, Adam Hutchinson is fit again and provided front row cover as did Danny Cookland who last played before the first lockdown. Danny Quinn also made a late switch from the Stags squad to provide backs cover.

We found ourselves in the unusual position of having good front row cover and hardly any for the three quarters.

So, it was perhaps no surprise that Stockton made the early running on a perfect day for rugby, and with both sides "retiring" the No.11 shirt as a tribute to Jack Jeffrey, who tragically died after being injured playing for Evesham last week. 

The home side went into an early 3-0 lead only to be quickly pegged back when Jake Linighan charged down a clearing kick allowing us to set up camp in the corner. When the ball was eventually moved left Sam Heron picked a great line to cruise over with his conversion giving us a 7-3 lead.

Stockton came back with some strong support running round the fringes. They were met with steadfast defence, some of which offended the ref leading to a succession of penalties - eventually giving them a two point lead.

Ollie Connolly needed treatment for a cut to the head ,which saw Dan Quinn come on for a spell, while Adam Coates had to retire for the duration after pulling a calf muscle. Adam Hutchinson replaced him with some effect.

It was all a bit disjointed, however,  with Chris Atkins and Zac Southern raising a laugh, at least from home supporters,  when they ran into each other trying to take a high ball. Followed by Sam Heron confusing his teammates by taking a quick tap in his own 22 leading to an immediate turnover. 

Worse was to follow with Stockton forcing their way over after a quick tap penalty to give themselves a 16-7 lead - the Ref then coming back to yellow card Jake Linighan for the original offence of slowing the ball down.

We managed to hold out while Jake was off the field and still managed to dominate the scrum. Although Stockton flanker  Charlie Dougherty was his usual effective self in making the most of poor possession.

The half time message was to calm down and play to our strengths, and the change was dramatic.

Chris Atkins began the try-fest as we crossed three times in five minutes as the forwards battered the home line. 

Chris went over from a scrum after Stockton dropped the ball iun their 22. It was followd three minutes later by Adam Hutchinson who spotted a gap after Tim Blades went agonisingly close.

Sam Heron converted both to give us a five point lead. He missed his easiest shot at goal after Andy Turner forced his way over from a scrum  (left) to stretch that lead to ten points. Stockton came back to mount some pressure of their own in our 22 - the result was a yellow card for Turner for a high tackle. However, the attack came to nought as we  had one of those  new fangled drop-outs after managing to hold up a potential Stockton scorer. Heron then made it 29-16 with a rare West penalty after Zac Southern made a burst for the line forcing an offside. Danny Cookland was next up to celebrate his return. Again the home defence was unable to stop a well-timed and powerful run from close range. The conversion took the score to 34-16 to end Stockton's hopes of a losing bonus point, and more was to come with the very last play. The backs had started the scoring and it was winger Hilditch who finished it as he raced home in some style from half-way after an intercept. A much needed second away win keeps  the season very much alive with another tough trip in prospect next week. We head off to rivals Aspatria for a game originally postponed because of our post-Christmas covid outbreak.

Stockton: Richie Young, Steve Bartliff, Joe Hargreaves, Steve Tampin, Te-Kori Moore, Jonny Horner, Tom Brown, Sean Jones, Sean Wallace, Lewis Gray, Steve Taylor, Dan Kidd, Charlie Dougherty (capt), Josh Wilson, Todd Highfield.

Reps (all used):Jenson Raper, Sam Dunkin, Matty Crowe.

West: Zac Southern, Owen Westhorp, Sam Heron, Ollie Connolly, Wll Hilditch, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (capt), Tim Blades, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Coates, Jake Linighan, Craig Hadwen, Chris Atkins, Isaac Robinson, Andy Turner.

Reps (all used): Dan Quinn, Danny Cookland, Adam Hutchinson.

Tries: Heron, Atkins, Turner, Hutchinson, Cookland, Hilditch.

Cons: Heron (4)

Pens Heron (1)