The game at Brinkburn was an odd affair. We finally had a day perfect for rugby with no wind and the low sun obscured by light clouds.

Both sides were in the mood for helter skelter rugby, but were decidedly ring rusty with knock-ons and poor passes the order of the opening exchanges - there were 19 stoppages in the first 20 minutes.

The home side, with three forwards on the bench, had a pack which was dominant in both scrum and line-out. As a result the first bit of sensible rugby saw West take the lead; a penalty for not rolling away, a kick to the corner,  a Linighan take and Barker the man to finish with Heron adding a fine conversion.

West then lost prop Jack Angus with a shoudler inury - Tim Blades coming on to have a fine 60 minutes. The pressure was maintained with skipper Painter taking a quick tap with Barker again the man on the spot to finish under the posts.

Ponteland's backs had looked sharp in possession, but most of that had been in their own half. When they did eventually pressure the home line they opted for  a successful penalty shot.

The handling errors continued, but West went further ahead when Jay Corbett made a 15 metre burst into the 22. When he was eventually stopped quick ball inside gave Chris Atkins the opportunity to go over to take the score at the break to 19-3.

West's wingers had little opportunity to shine in the first half,  but Max Tennant showed what could be achieved when he received the ball wide on the left - forcing Ponteland flanker  Chris Searle into a high tackle which earned him a ten minute rest. The penalty resulted in another line-out with Will Corbett, having another fine game, finishing just too wide out for Heron. The bonus point was secured.

The backs finally got on the scoresheet two minutes later. Tennant receiving close to the touchline and arrowing his way passed two despairing tackles (right)  to go over near the posts. With 35 minutes to play it looked the game was dead and buried at 31-3. That was even more the case when West Man of the Match Aidan-Jackson Smith produced a smart finish after another quick tap from Ryan Painter. What happened next will surely be a discussion for forthcoming training sessions. West did not obviously take their feet of the gas, and were well aware of the threat Ponteland's  backs posed. The dangerman was outside centre Joe Nicholson who sprang into life shortly after his side got their first try of the afternoon, from a maul,  to take the score to 38-8. He scored the try of the afternoon from 30 metres out, and five minutes later set up another in similar style to send Will McGubbin in under the posts. All of a sudden it was 38-22.

Without the soothing advice of Davy Heckles the West defence suddenly looked panicky,  with skipper Ryan Painter missing the rest of the game after a high tackle stopped his opposite number as he raced up the left touchline.

With bonus points now in sight, or even an unlikely victory, Ponteland promptly took advantage with Searle making amends for his yellow card by going over from close range for his side's fourth try with a couple of minutes left

The visitors still needed two more scores to take the game. However, 14 man West girded their loins and the cheer at the end was more of relief than a celebration of another five points earned.

The game was well reffed by exchange official Josh Methven from London and the South East. He probably went back down the A1 thinking what an unusual brand of rugby we play in the North East. It certainly was in this case - entertaining though.

West: Matt Siddle, Lewis Scott, Will Hilditch, Olli Connolly, Max Tennant, Sam Heron, Ryan Painter (capt), Jack Angus, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Jake Linighan, Will Corbett, Alex Barker, Chris Atkins, Jay Corbett.

Reps (all used): Tim Blades, Alex Johnson, Ollie Webster.

Tries: Barker (2), Atkins, Will Corbett, Tennant, Jackson-Smith..

Cons: Heron (4)

Yellow: Painter.

Ponteland: Elliott Trott, Adam Lawson, Joe Nicholson, Ewan Cassidy, Matt Barron, Charlie Scott, Paddy Holliday, Josh Stoker, Rory Nicholson, Stu Browne, Connor Beswick, Alex Clark, Will McGubbin, Chris Searle, Josh Pratt.

Reps (all used): Harry Lane, Joe Johnston, Tobi Morrison.

Tries: Pratt, Nicholson, McGubbin, Searle.

Cons: Barron (3)

Pens: Barron (1)

Yellow: Searle.

Referee: Josh Methven ( London and South East).