It was tough on a no-frills Rovers side who worked hard to emulate their victory in the first league game at the Friarage. They approach these games as though they have nothing to lose while West seem to suffer an attack of nerves with a plethora of dropped balls, mistimed tackles and, on this day, an often disastrous line-out.

On the plus side side the home scrum was dominant with Rovers invariably going backwards - No 8. Andrew Dring doing a valiant job in retaining possession.

Ollie Webster and James Tyers were called into action in the second row, in the absence of Jake Linighan and Tom Robertson, with Will Corbett replacing Ollie in the second half -a hard derby day baptism.

Rovers showed their intent from the off and, just as they had done in the first game, went ahead through a chargedown. In fact, there were two chargedowns as skipper Ryan Painter was pinned down close to his line and from the second Rovers took the lead 5-0. The ball bouncing kindly for Daniel Charters whose charge for the line tyook him over.

West came back to equalise courtesy of a penalty kick to the corner. The line-out started well with James Tyers taking the throw and Painter celebrating his 200th game by going over from the resulting drive.

The wind was blowing from the scoreboard corner and Sam Heron's conversion drifted wide - that same wind coming to West's aid with that very last kick.

Both sides slugged it out with West having the territorial advantage. Heron was in with a chance when he kicked on from  just outside the 22 only for Foreman to gather in his own dead-ball area and sidestep the charging West fly-half to clear.

West's eagerness to make every move a big statement cost them dear when Rovers winger Michael Railton intercepted a pass to Max Tennant to set off on a gallop from his own half. It looked likely he would be caught but, as his skipper said after the game, "he runs quicker than he looks" and he made it the line to give Rovers a 10-5 advantage.

Back came the home side to force a series of penalties with the scrum option being taken. Matt Siddle almost broke through as he raced to collect from Painter with Butcher also close with the follow up. Rovers were stretched and Andy Turner finally took the opportunity for one of his trademark scores from close range with the connversion again missed.

Strangely, Rovers opted for a scrum of their own with a penalty award halfway inside West territory. When the danger was cleared there were some handbags on the half way line as Heron was tackled. Both he and Rovers' scrum half Craig Vincent receiving yellows for their  indiscretions.

However, the award was a penalty to Rovers which quickly let to another  and with half-time fast approaching Foreman opted for the 50 metre wind assisted kick. It sailed through the posts to give his side a 13-10 lead at the break.

West had that chilly breeze in their favour in the second half, but it was Rovers who started brightly.  However,  their attack was stopped by a crunching tackle from Ollie Connolly which won his side a clearing penalty - aided by some backchat which gained an extra ten.

Play continued to be scrappy, if not frenetic, and it took until the hour mark for the next score. It came from the hard running Rovers' backs who created some rare space for themselves out wide on the left. Steve Barnfield's grubber kick splicing  the West defence and he was able to collect to go over in the corner.  Foreman adding the extras to give his side a more comfortable ten point margin. That was to last just seven minutes as West weren't prepared to lie down. A scrum just inside the Rovers half  saw the home pack moving forward with Turner picking up to send Painter away on the right. He evaded three tackles on his way to the line (right) to set up an easy conversion for Heron and to cement his place as the season's top try scorer. It was 17-20 with ten minutes on the clock and that was increased to 17-23 with a penalty to Rovers in front of the posts.

A converted try was required and West set up camp in the Rovers 22. Desperate to do the league double Rovers defended heroically and intelligently, but they couldn't stop the mercurial Heron who seized on a chance (left) to go in from ten meters to give himself another easy conversion. 24-23 to West. Patient play in the opposition half was required. Instead, the visitors gave it a last big shot  forcing a penalty for offiside some 30 meters out.  Breaths were held around the pitch but Foreman's effort fell short.

There was still time for Max Tennant to put in a tremendous tackle as Rovers attacked up the right touchline. It resulted in a yellow card for them and a penalty to West.

There was another big cheer from the West supporters as Craig Hadwen emerged from a tackle breakdown with the ball,  only for Mr Phillips to rule that the ball had been illegally ripped, and Ryan Foreman was given that final ill-fated opportunity.

The narrowest of try-bonus point wins keeps West in the hunt for a top four or five finish thanks to Medicals winning at Stockton.

It now goes down to the wire on the last day on April 26th. West (81 points) travel to Peterlee and Horden for another  "form goes out of the window" derby. Aspatria (83 points) go to Rockcliff, while Stockton (84 points)  travel to Sunderland. 

West: Matt Siddle, Owen Westhorp, Will Hilditch, Ollie Connolly, Max Tennant, Sam Hereon, Ryan Pianter (captain), Craig Hadwen, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, James Tyers, Ollie Webster, Chris Atkins, Scott Butcher, Andy Turner.

Reps (used): Will Corbett, Finley Ridley. Not used: Zac Southern.

Tries: Painter (2), Turner, Heron.

Cons: Heron (2).

Yellow: Heron

Rovers: Ryan Foreman, James Keers, Steven Barnfield (captain), Jack Gunn, Michael Railton,  Darryl Fawcett, Craig Vincent, Ian Pinchen, Kevin Maguire, Kyle Scott, Dylan Langley, Will Lloyd, Dan Charters, Andrew Dring.

Reps (all used): Tom King, Patrick O'Callaghan, Alex Rochester.

Tries: Charters, Railton, Barnfield.

Pens: Foreman (2)

Cons: Foreman (1)

Yellow: Vincent, Maguire, 

Referee: Revis Phillips (Durham Society).