As it is it's West who will hold the Bill Bowden Memorial Trophy until next Christmas when, hopefully, both the first and second team Christmas contests can be played.

As well as remembering the good Doctor, who served both clubs and the community so well, there was a one minute silence to remember Alby Pattison MBE who also  did so much for both clubs and the town.

In front of a large holiday crowd it was West who started strongly - Will Hilditch going over in the corner after taking an excellent kick through from Matt Siddle. Sam Heron converting from out wide.

Rovers had arrived admitting they were concerned that recent league form would lead them to spending the afternoon on the backfoot. It looked like that may be the case when West went 12-0 up after just ten minutes - Jay Corbett prominent in a burst up the right wing with Heron on his inside to go over.

Rovers weren't prepared to lie down and they spent much of the rest of the first half on the front foot with plenty of energy from the pack. Stern defence restricted them to just one score from close range with Ryan Harrison reaching out to touch down.

Both sides had  agreed squads of more than 30 lads with plenty of rolling substitutions . It allowed them all to run off the Christmas pud, but led to a stop start game with little flowing rugby to entertain a slightly confused crowd.

However, it's the bragging rights that are most important and it looked like Rovers wanted them more as they started the second half brightly. Danny Charters bursting through from close range to level the scores with the conversion attempt bouncing back off the post.  It continued to be anybody's game until West's pack finally found some cohesion. The tried and trusted catch and drive worked in the 65th minute. Jake Linighan taking clean ball with Jay Corbett touching down with Heron's conversion wide. The five point margin was far too small for the liking of the home supporters,  but it was increased to ten points in the final minutes. The need to obtain refreshments from the busy bar for the volunteers who clear away at the end of the game meant yours truly missed the score. However, Jay says his second try was identical to the one he scored ten minutes earlier.

The sides will meet again in league action at Brinkburn on February 25th.

 Referee: Phill Jukes (Durham Society).