They shared six tries but West ran out 33-23 winners as they took advantage of the home side’s indiscipline at the breakdown - mainly forced by the visitors’ territorial advantage.

West went into the game without forwards Jake Linighan, Michael Hogan and Jay Corbett, but matched the Ponteland pack in the set piece with Chris Atkins having an excellent game as the stand-in No8.

For once West made the better start - going ahead after ten minutes as Heron picked himself up from a high-tackle and stroked the penalty over from 30 meters. He notched a second as West maintained the pressure with Ponteland having to wait until the 20th minute to get into the West 22. However, their attack on the line was held-up and the danger cleared.

Ponteland did manage a penalty of their own before their backs showed what they could do. A sweeping move down the right saw some slick passing with centre Michael Searle going over and Charlie Scott converting. 

The lead didn't last as West mounted a series of attacks. They were thwarted by stern defence until Matt Siddle arrived at pace to go in under the posts from close range with Heron taking the score to 13-10.

However, it was all square at half-time after Scott also opted for a shot at goal after his backs had once again put West’s defence under pressure.

The second half started with a bang with Ollie Connolly hero and the villain. A penalty kick to the corner saw West gain possession with Siddle again going close before Connolly arrived to go over to restore the seven-point lead.

Two minutes later the inside centre looked set to make another break as he collected his clever chip to break into the Ponteland half. However, as he looked for support on his shoulder his pass went instead to lively outside centre Joe Nicholson. He promptly evaded three tackles as he made his way to the corner.

The missed conversion kept West in front, and they almost scored again when Heron chased down a kick through from Ryan Painter (above) only for play to be brought back for an earlier knock-on.

Undaunted, West kept up the pressure with home hooker Cameron Bell taking a sin-bin for going off his feet at the breakdown. Heron took the points, but was denied a shot at goal as yet another penalty was awarded in front of the posts. This time skipper Painter opting for a quick tap only for his  pass to Siddle going to ground and West remained just five points ahead.

It took another ten minutes for visiting supporters to breathe a little easier with Siddle again the scorer. His penalty kick to the corner provided good line-out ball. The West forwards mauled their way to the line before releasing the ball for Ollie Connolly to make a burst. He was held up but Siddle once again timed his run to set up an easy conversion for Heron.

The full back then duly stroked over another penaltytakinghis personal tally to 18 points and giving his side a comfortable 15- point lead.

It wasn’t to last as the Ponteland backs again proved quick and elusive - Nicholson getting his second after shaking off the tackles to go in at the corner with Scott’s conversion wide and short.

Undaunted, and with five minutes left, West were looking for the bonus point try but once again an interception thwarted their efforts. Siddle’s pass from a maul five metres out was snapped up by a Ponteland defender who made it to the half-way line before being caught by a West fly-half anxious to make amends.

The hard fought win puts West five points clear of second place Sunderland. The Wearsiders are the visitors to Brinkburn next week for what could be one of the games of the season.

Ponteland: Patrick Holliday, Ewan Cassidy, Joe Nicholson, Michael Searle, Josh Beswick, Charlie Scott, Ollie Gowing, Josh Stoker, Cameron Bell, Lawrence Mew, Connor Beswick, Alex Clark, Will McCubbin, Chris Searle Josh Pratt.
Replacements (all used): Stu Browne, Ben Wallace, Rory Nicholson.
Tries: Searle Nicholson (2).
Cons: Scott (1)
Pens: Scott (2)
Yellow: Bell.

West: Sam Heron,, Will Hilditch, Davy Heckles, Ollie Connolly, Lewis Scott, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (capt), Jack Angus, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam, Hutchinson, Will Corbett, Tom Robertson, Alex barker, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins.
Replacements (all used): Connor Allen, Andy Turner, Adam Coates
Tries: Siddle (2), Connolly.
Cons: Heron (3)
Pens: Heron (4)
Referee: Kevin Allison (Durham)