With a win desperately needed the home side started well but came up against a resilient West defence.  Once Matt Siddle got the scoreboard ticking in the seventh minute, they had no answer to West’s attacking threat. The full back timing his run to collect and dive over from close range with Sam Heron getting the first of his seven conversions.

West went further ahead with a rare try from Jake Linighan after another concerted attack in the home 22 – the second-row following up a surge for the line by Chris Atkins.

Novos continued to battle, and their hopes of getting back in the game rose when Jay Corbett was yellow carded for a high tackle just before the half hour.

However, it was 14-man West who added to their score in some style. A penalty kick to the corner produced good line-out ball with Siddle coming into the line to create space for centre Will Hilditch. He was tackled but a delightful pass out of the back of his hand allowed Sam Heron to dive in at the corner. His touchline conversion adding to Novos’ misery.

A minute later the game was effectively over as West scored their fourth try to earn a bonus point. Siddle once again coming into the line, and after juggling a pass he was able to create the space for Lewis Scott to go over in the same corner with Heron’s conversion this time just wide.

Restored to 15 men, West continued to press with Chris Atkins robbing Novos of possession on their own 22 to give Hilditch the opportunity of bursting through to give his side a 33-0 lead at the break.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon came just after the restart when Jordan Painter scored on his debut (above). Adam Hutchinson, playing at hooker in the absence of Aidan Jackson-Smith, had made a number of carries and he wasted no time in galloping at the home defence after taking the ball at the back of a line-out in the West half. Heron was on his shoulder, and he sprinted some 40 metres to draw the fullback and send Painter heading for the line. The winger was closed down by two Novos players, but had the strength to force his way over much to the delight of his skipper – his brother Ryan.

Another touchline conversion took West to 40 points, and with all three replacements on the field they continued to press.

Matt Siddle looked to be in with a chance when he chipped ahead as he raced up the right wing only to be yellow carded for a push on full back Ian Ramsay as he collected.

Once again West were undaunted by being down to 14, with Jake Linighan getting his second of the afternoon from a catch and drive.

Hilditch also added to his tally after Ryan Painter broke up the right wing. When he was stopped ten metres out the ball was quickly moved left with the West centre able to glide through a gap in the home defence.

The final score came with the last play of the afternoon - replacement prop Jack Angus finishing off another catch and drive with yet another excellent conversion from Heron adding the extras.

There’s a week off for West  before the first round of the new Papa Johns Community Cup with the draw due to be made early this coming week.

Novocastrians: Ian Ramsay, Greg Wills, Isaac Robinson, Barndon Gilbert, Gregory Abibu, Matthew Russell, Cameron Wallace, John McSorley, Tom Dias, Luke Foster, Jonny Allton, Ryan Gibson, Alex Cokeley, Callum Anderson, Louis Matthews.

Replacements (all used): Tom Taylor, Oliver Towe, Christian Selkirk.

West: Matt Siddle, Lewis Scott, Will Hilditch, Ollie Connolly, Jordan Painter, Sam Heron, Ryan Painter (capt), Tim Blades, Adam Hutchinson, Liam Pennick, Ollie webster, Jake Linighan, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins, Jay Corbett.

Replacements (all used): Jonny Wray, Charlie Kay, Jack Angus.

Tries: Siddle, Linighan (2), Heron, Scott, Hilditch (2), J. Painter, Angus.

Cons: Heron (7)

Yellow: Corbett, Siddle.

Referee: Anthony Lowery (Northumberland).