The four try win at Rockcliff took West to 85 points. Sunderland are the only side still in with the remotest of chances of overhauling West , but to do that they would have to get five points from each of their last five games with West getting no return from their last four. That’s irrespective of looking at points differences. League Table.

There is also the small matter of keeping the unbeaten run going, and that rarely looked threatened at Whitley Bay specially when the home side went down to 14 for the last hour.

There was drenching rain throughout, and a resilient home side made it difficult for West as there were more than 70 stoppages in a game well managed by an exchange ref from Scotland. As a result, it was much less of spectacle than the previous win at rivals Sunderland.

It was one of  Rockliff’s last home league games and they were in determined mood from the off - going ahead with a penalty in the first minute.

West came back with Adam Hutchinson breaking up the right, but the greasy ball couldn’t be held by the hard tackling Ollie Connolly as he took the prop’s pass.

Then Matt Siddle unselfishly chose to pass out to left winger Max Tennant when the full back could probably have crossed himself. The top try scorer did go over but as he slid in to touchdown he was tackled with West’s touch judge Dave Bennett spotting a foot in touch before the touchdown.

Who knew, apart from the ref, that a foot in touch in the dead ball area constituted a good old 22 metre drop-out.

Still it was looking good for West who were shoving the home scrum all over the park – one of the reasons for so many stoppages.  However, Rockcliff went further ahead with another penalty after 12 minutes made easy by an extra 10 metres for backchat.

Davy Heckles was the next to break but once again the pass was knocked on – this time by an over eager Jake Linighan who had the line in his sights. He wasn’t to be the last.

West then won a series of scrum penalties. A kick to the corner resulted in a lost line-out ball so the next one was a scrum, which saw Sam Heron glide over for the first try of the day (right). His conversion giving West the lead for the first time. Both sides continued to scrap it out with things boiling over when Will Corbett was pinned to the ground by a home prop. Skipper Painter stepped in, but so did Rockcliff centre Andrew Webster who threw a punch and was red-carded, with Painter a yellow for not backing off. Handshakes on the way off from both players. It was a penalty to West which allowed Sam to add to West’s score only for Rockcliff to get their third a few minutes later to take the half time score to 10-9. Painter had come back on to be replaced in the sin-bin by Ollie Webster for a high tackle.

West started the second half brightly with Heron sending Will Hilditch away only for the winger to be stopped in the corner. The pressure was maintained with Heron then slotting an easy penalty in front of the posts as Rockcliff went offside.

Once again Rockcliff stayed in touch with a penalty to make it 13-12 Then West were dealt a blow with the strong running Jay Corbett suffering in injury as he boshed his way through the middle -  Isaac Robinson coming on and Alex Barker going to No 8.

Barker promptly crossed the line, after West again opted for a scrum after yet another penalty, only for the referee to rule out his moment of glory as he’d already decided West deserved a penalty try. Yellow for the home prop who had transgressed.

At 20-12 West finally had some headroom. With Davy Heckles looking more adventurous and looking to set up his wingers. However, neither Tennant nor Hilditch could hold onto the greasy ball.

Instead, Max took matters into his own hands when he received on the wing some 40 metres out - a lightning burst as he cut through the middle almost took him to the line. The support had managed to stay in touch, and it was Painter who was on hand to give his side a 27-12 advantage.

Will Corbett and Will Hilditch had similar forays down the right, which were just stopped by desperate defence before West got their bonus point try.

Jake Linighan has yet to score a try this season - much to his irritation. He looked to have finally got it on 65 minutes when yet more concerted pressure produced the opportunity from close range (right). However, once again the ref had decided enough penalties were enough and awarded the penalty try instead - cue lots of teasing from teammates. Yellow for No 8 Rob Hamilton. That was the end of the West scoring, but Rockcliff did manage a consolation try when Hilditch was a touch casual in clearing from his own 22 allowing replacement Max Liddle to charge down and score.

The last two home games coming up. Rovers next week and Acklam the following week with the champagne already on ice.

Rockcliff: Ryan Rapallo, Nathan Kirley, Simon Tindall, Andrew Webster, Aidan Lydall, Michael Hansen (capt), Matthew Brister, Andrew Moore, Stephen Pentland, Liam Bowman, Mark Snowdon, Tom Reid, Lewis Anderson, Philip Ballantyne, Rob Hamilton.

Reps (all used); Leon Van-Zandvliet, Kieran Lydall, Max Liddle.

Tries: Liddle.
Pens: Hansen (4)
Red: Webster.
Yellow: Moore, Hamilton.

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

Reps (all used); Jake Tennant, Adam Coates, Isaac Robinson.
Tries: Heron, Painter, pen tries (2).
Cons: Heron (2)

Yellow: Painter, Webster.

MoM: Matt Siddle