Realistically, Sunderland are the only other team who can claim that sole promotion spot. They are now 16 points behind the league leaders, but have a game in hand and the two sides are due to meet at Ashbrooke on February 11th.

There were two games played at Brinkburn on a day when a blustery wind blowing toward the scoreboard and a horribly low sun affected play.

The Stags hosted a Novos II's side who still travelled despite having only 13 men - by all accounts the game was an enjoyable one with the Stags winning 38-7. The true spirit of rugby was also shown by seasoned referee Ray Sutherland who had not officiated since September because of injury. The game didn't have a ref until Ray volunteered so credit to all involved.

The Firsts had both the wind and the sun in their faces in the first half, together with a reshaped pack. As a result, the set pieces were poor with Medicals working hard to keep their promotion hopes alive and winning plenty of turnover ball.

The pattern was set in the first ten minutes after Ollie Connolly set up a West attack courtesy of an interception. Medicals conceded a penalty. A kick to the corner, and another penalty from the line-out looked to give the home side the platform to get the scoreboard rolling as skipper Painter opted for a scrum five metres out.

However, the Medicals pack promptly pushed West off the ball and won their own penalty to clear the danger.

The visitors showed how it should be done two minutes later. Their penalty kick to the corner saw ball taken off the top with a gap opening up for centre Ollie Mann to glide through with ease to set up an easy conversion for fly-half Charlie Cloke. West were struggling to put any phases together, with the best chance coming after Jay Corbett powered his way through. However, a frustrated Sam Heron knocked on as he went to take the pass from the No.8. Chris Atkins, as hard working as ever, got a bit of a rest with a yellow card and he was still off when West drew level. Matt Siddle had made a break as he came into the line after Jay Corbett had broken clear. The ball was quickly moved left and it was Will Corbett who popped up to stretch out to touchdown  under the posts. 7-7.  Medicals came straight back and looked to be certain scorers as they created an overlap on the left - only for Ollie Connolly to put in a tremendous try-saving tackle almost on his line. Scrum to West for a knock-on with the danger being completely averted as Medicals were penalised at the put in. The visitors did go ahead when Jay Corbett put in a no-arms tackle on the home 22, with Clore opting to take the three points to put his side in the lead at the break. That was increased to six points shortly after the restart with another penalty after Sam Heron had the ball ripped away in the tackle.

Alex Johnson was injured in an attack which saw Will Hilditch almost break clear. The West hooker had to hobble off with the coaches taking the opportunity to reorganise the pack. Aidan Jackson-Smith at hooker and Alex Barker into the back row allowing Linighan to return to his familiar second row. 

Tim Blades then joined the fray at loosehead as West used the fresh legs and the elements to put pressure on the visitors. However, it wasn't until the hour mark that the presure paid off. Adam Hutchinson was prominent as the forwards drove towards the Medicals line with Jay Corbett in support. His pass to  Sam Heron saw the fly-half touchdown with his conversion putting West into the lead for the first time.

The momentum was maintained with Medicals prop Richard Clegg despatched to the sin-bin, which gave the opportunity for a scrum penalty close to the line. With the set-piece working much better Painter took advantage to snipe over with Heron's conversion giving West a more comfortable eight point lead.

Medicals did respond only for  Alex Barker to put in a tremendous clearing kick from his own half which resulted in a 50/22 line-out for West. He'd started the day showing everyone a video of his kicking exploits for the Stags last week, so he will have another one to add to the collection on his phone.

His side continued to dominate as they went for the try which would provide the bonus point. It failed to materialise despite the best efforts of Max Tennant who was finally able to get some ball. He went close on two occasions and was only stopped in the closing minutes by a high tackle which saw the final yellow of the day for Medicals.

The resulting line-out looked to provide the perfect opportunity for that fourth try but, in keeping with much of the preceeding play, it went astray at the back of the line-out.

West: Matt Siddle, Will Hilditch, Davy Heckles, Olli Connolly, Max Tennant, Sam Heron, Ryan Painter, Jack Angus, Alex Johnson, Adam Hutchinson, Ollie Webster, Will Corbett, Jake Linighan Chris Atkins, Jay Corbett.

Reps (all used): Tim Blades, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Alex Barker.

Tries: Will Corbett, Heron, Painter.

Cons: Heron (3)

Medicals: Harry Sagar, Robbie Armstrong, Ollie Mann, Guy Kingsley-Smith, Oscar Atkinson, Charles Clore, Ed Parkinson, Richard Clegg, Andrew Bath, Jack Swann, Bilal Mohammed, William Moore, Matthew Haigh, Kent Warrilow, William Haigh.

Reps (all used); Daniel Peck, Marc Ward-Skilbeck, Rory Jones.

Tries: Mann.

Cons: Clore

Pens: Clore (2).

Referee: Will Lacey (Durham Society)