Fortunately, no such problems at Brinkburn where the wind finally dropped and the home team were able to produce the flowing performance they have been threatening for the past few weeks. Whitley Bay Rockcliff played their part in an entertaining game only to run out of steam in a second half where West crossed five times.

The visitors had two giant locks in Craig Hamilton and Tom Reid with the scrums well balanced but, despite the lofty and experienced opposition, Jake Linighan  and young Tom Robertson provided excellent line-out ball afternoon. They were aided by some superb kicking to the corners from Messrs Heron, Siddle and Painter.

Rockcliff started strongly on their first league visit, but it was West who went ahead on the quarter hour. A penalty kick to the left corner saw the ball  moved right with Robertson making a well timed run to take  an inside pass from Ryan Painter to score his first league try (above). Sam Heron had his kicking boots on.

At the other end  of the age spectrum Craig Hadwen also started well only to disappear for a lengthy spell  as a broken nose was dealth with -  Ollie Webster coming on as an able deputy. Rather than protect the injury, and showing no concern for his movie career, Craig returned on the half hour mark.

The home side continued to press but Rockcliff defended well and there was some concern that West needed another score before half-time.

It finally came when one of the Rockcliff props knocked on close to his line. From the scrum Chris Atkins broke to time his pass to Ollie Connolly to perfection. 14-0 at the break and a more relaxed feel to the scoreline.

Things got better side three minutes into the second half. Another knock on and scrum gave Adam Brown the opportunity to use his strength to force his way over, Unfortunately, he wasn't to see the game out as he suffered a groin strain.

With Matt Siddle and Sam Heron switching places the pressure mounted. Matt's tackling at full back was immense when Rockcliff made ground up the wings and Sam's desire to run the ball from everywhere, in addition to kicks to the scoreboard corner, kept his side on the front foot.

Liam Bailey and Isaac Robinson were also first to most breakdowns with help from mobile prop Adam Hutchinson,  and the pressure soon told on a tiring Rockcliff. Ryan Painter set up a storming attack up the left wing with a box kick which was collected by Ollie Connolly. With Will Hilditch and Lewis Scott taking play on it looked like one of the tries  of the season was on the cards. Sadly a knock on thwarted that ambition.

Rockcliff came back with an attack up the same wing with Siddle stopping a rampant centre with a crunching tackle. The loose ball was hacked over the West line but Connolly was there to secure a West drop out. 

Both sides continued to have a go in an entertaining game. However, West continued to look the more dangerous with Will Hilditch showing his class when he stepped in to pick up from a ruck with his dummy creating the space for Sam Heron to secure the try bonus point.

Rockcliff replied with a well deserved try as West knocked on from the restart - that was to prove to be their only consolation.

Another kick from Heron had speedy Rockcliff full back Ryan Rapallo in a quandry. It ended with him catching the ball and tackling the corner flag at the same time.  West's throw and Liam Bailey was once again first to the ball and his speed took him through the gap. This time the conversion was wide. The game was won, but there was time for a couple of cameos from skipper Painter who went on to earn the Man of the Match  award from the sponsors - partly because of a restart take when he called for a ball which was going over his head. However, he stuck out an arm behind his back and the ball stuck. He was happier with that bit of skill than he was with his two tries. The first  came with a few minutes left on the clock courtesy of a scrum on the Rocklff 22. It was dead centre, which way would he go? He went right shrugging off two tacklers to go in under the posts.

There was time for another. It came from a tap and go with the skipper quickest to react to go in under the posts. As ever the conversion led to the final whistle.

Acklam away next week - a side which will be wanting to put the record straight. A presumably badly depleted side lost 124-5 at leaders Percy Park. Possibly a record for this league where referees have to play the full 80 minutes.

West: Sam Heron, Owen Westhorp, Will Hilditch, Ollie Connolly, Lewis Scott, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (captain), Craig Hadwen, Adam Brown, Adam Hutchinson, Jake Linighan, Tom Robertson, Liam Bailey, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins.

Reps (all used): Ollie Webster, Zac Southern, James Tyers.

Tries: Robertson, Connolly, Brown, Heron, Bailey, Painter (2).

Cons: Heron (6).

Rockcliff: Ryan Rapallo, Aidan Lydall, Dan O'Sullivan,  Harry Cain, Jack Bland, Mike Hnsen, Matt Brister, Jude Noble, Andrew Moore, Michael Marvel, Tom Reid, Craig Hamilton, Josh Donnelly, Connor Madden, Rob Hamilton.

Reps:(all used): Jack Slark, Rob Straker, Karl Briggs.

Referee: Kevin Allison (Durham Society),