The Counties One result sees West on 80 points with five games left to play. Medicals moved up to second with 60 points,  however they only have four games left and can only reach 80 points. Sunderland dropped to third with 55 points, but they have six games remaining and, as they still have 30 points to play for,  are the only club which could theoretically overhaul West.

As a result, promotion may be formally achieved at Rockcliff next week if West get five points and Sunderland don't get five at Acklam. If both clubs do get five points next week promotion could then be achieved in the following week's home game against Rovers, when only one point would be needed - only saying.

West put themselves in this happy position with  an excellent all-round performance against an experienced, hard working and well-drilled home side in what was an great advert for level 7 rugby.

There were fine performances across the pitch,  including a 70 minute baptism of fire for teenage prop Louis Adamson (above), who justified the coaches' faith in giving him his debut in such a big game - specially  with his play in the loose. He did admit after the game that he found the step-up to first team scrummaging as "heavy" and his shoulders may well ache for the rest of the week.

Sam Heron also stepped up to the mark despite badly injuring a thumb two weeks ago. His goal kicking was immaculate, as was that of home full-back Leon Ryan. He returned to rugby in his mid-thirties after a distinguished football career including playing for Middlesbrough and three Wembley FA Vase winners' medals with various North East teams.

Farmer Sam may not have a Wembley appearance in his sights, but if his team keep their unbeaten run going in the new end of season Papa Johns' Community Cup, he would get to strut his stuff at Twickenham.  Again, only saying.

Sunderland kept themselves in contention throughout this game courtesy of Ryan's penalties - the first coming after seven minutes from some 40 metres. In a lively start West forced several penalties of their own with skipper Painter opting for a kick to the corner,  which paid off as Ollie Webster was held up just short. However that man Jay Corbett was in his usual position to collect and force his way over.

Playing into the wind West kept up the pressure with Sunderland's well organised defence keeping them out.  Ollie Connolly was help up as he went for the corner,  then an excellent 50/22 kick into the wind from Matt Siddle saw Webster similarly denied.

However, referee Matt Arrowsmith promptly brought play back for a penalty in front of the posts with a confident Painter opting for a quick tap to Jay Corbett. He was held up, but as play was quickly switched wide Sunderland infringed once too often with centre Simon Coleman off for a ten minute rest.

The pressure continued against the 14 men. Another tap and go, more resilient defence from the home side with the threat only relieved when Jake Linghan was penalised for holding on as he went for the line.

West then opted to widen the play with Max Tennant coming off his left wing to almost go in at the right corner, but once again the attack was thwarted as Matt Siddle unfortunately knocked on.

Despite all that pressure West were still only four points clear and vulnerable to a sucker punch - or two. They duly came with a penalty as Davy Heckles failed to release.

Then from the restart Sunderland collected and a high kick to the right wing bounced between Tennant and winger Chris Rochelle. Max looked to have both covered only for the ball to standup perfectly for the onrushing Rochelle who raced home to give his side a 13-7 lead with half-time fast approaching.

West were then dealt another blow with Jay Corbett limping off after a bang on the knee - Alex Barker coming on.  Undaunted the visitors again set up camp in the home 22 -  this time Painter opting for a shot at the posts after another penalty. 13-10 at half time.

Tennant had spent the last few minutes of the half berating himself for that Sunderland try though there was little he could do about it. You sensed that it made him even more determined to add to his impressive try tally and he wasted no time in helping his side regain the lead.

From the restart West forced Sunderland back onto their line where desperate defence stopped Tim Blades from forcing his way over. The opportunity wasn't lost as the ball was spun left with just enough room for Tennant to go over in the corner. 

A tricky touchline conversion well nailed by Heron,  and he was succcessful with another penalty six minutes later to take the score to 20-13. 

The pressure continued with Alex Barker making a great charge through the middle  but it was Sunderland who got themselves back in the game with two long range penalties from Ryan to make it 20-19 on the hour mark.

With Adam Coates already on for the hard working Tim Blades, the linament worked wonders for Jay Corbett. He returned to the fray with Jake Linighan moving to the second row as Ollie Webster finished his excellent shift in the engine room.

The next score was likely to be the most imprortant of the day and, as West kept play in the home half, it went the way of Jamie Connolly's side. A penalty kick to the corner set up the line-out with Barker at the back the quickest to react to a throw missed by both sets of jumpers. He was stopped short of the line, as was Chrissy Atkins, but their efforts sucked in the defenders with Aidan Jackson-Smith seizing his opportunity to dive through a gap to give his side an eight point lead.

Once again it wasn't to last, as the former Wembley hero stroked over a scrum penalty from 30 metres to bring his side back to within five points with ten minutes or so left on Matt Arrowsmith's watch.

However, West had the more youthful set of players and set about using that advantage to the full in the closing minutes. Matt Siddle came into the line to burst through and force a penalty in front of the posts to restore that one score margin. Heron increased that to 11 points with a penalty from 35 metres as West opted for pragmatism rather than the adventure they'd showed earlier.

However, there was one last bit of enterprise left in the tank. The Corbett brothers combined to mug the very lively flanker Fara Chikumbirike as he attacked in the West half, with the ripped ball speedily moved through the hands with Heckles timing his pass on the half way to give Tennant a gap.

The winger promptly burst through  - accelerating  his way to the corner and out-pacing two desperate defenders (above). Once again Heron showing his class with the touchline conversion to take the score to a comfortable looking 40-22, and with the try bonus point secured.

Sunderland were beaten but not did not give in. It was they who got the score with the last blow of the ref's whistle to follow. They'd opted for a penalty kick to the corner and when  possession was won it was centre Simon Coleman who was forced over from close range.

Sunderland: Leon Ryan, Christopher Rochelle, Dean Edmundson, Simon Coleman, Tom Asquith-Fox, Marc Edmundson, Ben Hutchinson, Kieron Hanlon, Peter Harrison, Davrim Koca, Andrew Wordsworth, Luke Bryan-Victory, Michael Holder, Farai Chikumbirike, Martin Watt.

Reps (all used): Edward Simpson, Craig Wilson, James Savage.

Tries: Rochelle, Coleman.

Cons: Ryan (2)

Pens: Ryan (5)

Yellow: Coleman.

West: Matt Siddle, Will Hilditch, Davy Heckles, Ollie Connolly, Max Tennant, Sam Heron, Ryan Painter (capt), Louis Adamson, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Tim Blades, Will Corbett, Ollie Webster, Jake Linighan, Jay Corbett.

Reps (used): Alex Barker, Adam Coates. (Not used): Lewis Scott.

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

Cons: Heron (4).

Pens Heron (4)

Referee: Matt Arrowsmith (Durham Society)

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