It was a feast of running rugby Brinkburn - well managed by exchange referee Alex Schaefer from Washington DC (right) The game was  in marked contrast to last week's tense affair against second place Sunderland,with the win preserving the unbeaten record, and the eight point margin over the Wearsiders. Rockcliff started well and went into an early lead when Painter was judged offside at the scrum giving Jack Rendles an easy three points.

West then lost Adam Coates to a back injury with Aidan Jackson-Smith slotting back in at hooker However, the momentum was building and the home side went ahead just beofre the quarter hour.  Davy Heckles was quick to follow up on a chip through from Painter and, as full back Ryan Rapallo fumbled, the West centre gleefully seized on the chance to collect and go in under the posts (above )with Sam Heron converting.

The game was evenly balanced until the last five minutes of the half when West cut loose. 

Max Tennant was the first scorer as he got on the end of  an intelligent kick from Painter to touch down in the corner as the ball went loose.    Two minutes later he was in again (left).  This time a slick backs move saw Siddle come round on the loop to create the space with the pass to Tennant perfectly timed. Heron converted from the touchline to give his side a 19-3 lead.

 Siddle's boot then led to the bonus point try. Jake Linghan found himself out wide on the right and when he called for the kick his height allowed to him to collect one handed.

It looked like he was going all the way until he was brought down just short. However, the West forwards had caught him up and pressure on the line saw Adam Hutchinson take his chance with Heron adding the extras. Rockcliff weren't going down without a fight and opted for a tap and go from a penalty in the West 22, which saw them force their way over to take the half time score to 26-10.

The visitors enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the opening stages of the second half but failed to break the West defence. Instead, it was Heron and Painter who combined in midfield to send Will Hilditch flying in at the right corner with Sam's conversion just wide.

Both West wingers looked dangerous  whenever they got the ball. Hilditch looked to be in again as he collected Siddle's crossfield kick. Unfortunately he slipped as he cut inside.

The West skipper was again the architect as he broke from a scrum outside the Rockcliff 22 beating three men before finding Tom Robertson  with a one handed underarm pass which saw the second row open up the space for Heron to glide through a gap to go over. He failed to add to his tally wth the conversion hitting a post.

At 36-10 West were in full control and try number seven wasn't long in coming. This time Painter robbed his opposite nuber at a Rockcliff put-in with  Alex Barker moving the ball on and creating the space for Hilditch to dive over.

Barker was involved again as he powered through the middle. Chris Atkins was on his shoulder and his momentum took West to the line where the ever sharp Hutchinson picked up to complete the scoring.

It sealed West's best performance so far, with the chance for a rest next week. Then it's off  to an improving  Acklam to complete the first half of the season.

West: Sam Heron, Will Hilditch Davy Heckles, Ollie Connolly, Max Tennant, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (capt), Jack Angus, Adam Hutchinson, Adam Coates, Jake Linighan, Tom Robertson, Alex Barker, Chris Atkins, Jay Corbett.

Replacements (all used): Lewis Scott, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Isaac Robinson.

Tries: Tennant (2), Hilditch (2) Hutchinson (2), Heckles, Heron.

Conversions: Heron (3)

Man of the Match: Ryan Painter.

Rockcliff: Ryan Rapallo (capt), Will Robinson, Sam Thompson, Andrew Webster, Aidan Lyall, Jack Rendles, Matthew Brister, Stephen Pentland, Lewis Anderson, Liam Bowman, Craig Hamilton, Mark Snowdon, Andrew Dunn, Tom Reid, Connor Madden.

Replacements (all used): Alex Potter, Phlip Ballantyne, Jack Weir.

Tries: Anderson.

Con: Rendles.

Pen: Rendles.

Man of the Match: Tom Reid.

Referee: Alex Schaefer (Potomac, USA).