The team which took on Stockton was missing four lads who have made up the back row so far this season with front five forwards manfully filling the gaps. They created enough possession to win the game, but once again let themselves down in the final quarter losing vital set-piece possession in the visiting 22 and having attacking penalties reversed for indiscipline.

With so many “first teamers” missing, and only two replacements on the first team bench, a depleted Stags squad went to Stockton Saracens. They were well beaten by 70 points with the only bright spot being Harry Siddle’s first try in senior rugby.

Back at Brinkburn the first team started well forcing a series of penalties. The opportunity to take three points wasn’t taken as the heavier than usual home pack had the shove on their opponents. Stockton defended well and, as so often happens, when they did finally break out they scored - prop Lewis Gray finishing from three yards out and Callum Piert adding the extras.

Four minutes later they added to their lead in slightly controversial circumstances. Davy Heckles appeared to be blocked as he went to tackle just inside the home 22, with Australian flanker Eamonn Chapman seizing the opportunity to speed through the gap to give his side a 14-point lead, despite protests from the West players.

The frustration was channelled in the right direction with a series of attacks which saw the Stockton lead reduced to just two points at the break.

Matt Siddle was sharp in going through a gap, after a West penalty just outside the 22, followed by skipper Ryan Painter also sniping a try from the back of a maul as the heavyweight West pack more than held their own.

However, Stockton took the score to 12-20 with two early second half penalties. They could have gone further ahead if Will Hilditch, who is off to Australia and will miss the next five games, putting in a tremendous try saving tackle in the corner and earning a goal-line drop-out in the process.

West came back with an excellent 50-22 kick from Matt Siddle with Jake Linighan finally finishing off the pressure - taking the ball five metres from the touchline and touching down in flying winger style as he was tackled into the corner flag.

Heckles’ conversion was the kick of the day and took his side to within one point with a quarter of an hour still to play.

The home support was hoping the lessons of the 23-27 defeat by Morpeth would be learnt and that their side would go on to use their territorial advantage to take the game.

It wasn’t to be as Stockton gratefully accepted the opportunity to score their third try. It came as West earned yet another penalty on the visiting 22 which referee Revis Phillips quickly reversed for backchat.

It wasn’t the first time in the game that he had cause to reverse a penalty he’d awarded to West, and this time Stockton made the most of it. The clearing kick giving them the opportunity to build pressure on the West 22 which saw two missed tackles allowing them to score beside the posts to establish a two-score lead.

West came back with Heckles slotting a penalty. His side now requiring a converted try to win the game.

They spent the final ten minutes in the Stockton half with another series of penalties providing attacking opportunities. Unfortunately, a series of set-piece errors let a grateful Stockton off the hook.

There’s now a timely two-week break before the next game at home to Durham City.

West: Will Hilditch, Jordan Painter, Davy Heckles, Ollie Connolly, Lewis Scott, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (capt), Jack Angus, Adam Hutchinson, Liam Pennick, Ollie Webster, Jonny Wray, Will Corbett, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Jake Linighan.

Rep  used: Matt Baggs. Not used: Craig Hadwen.

Tries: Siddle, R. Painter, Linighan.

Cons: Heckles (2)

Pen: Heckles

Stockton: Harry Williams, George Fleming, Callum Piert, Steve Tampin, Tom Lloyd, Oli Shaw, Nic Winstanley, Sean Jones, Harry Ewart, Lewis Gray, Scott Powell, Henry Spence, Paul Evans, Eamonn Chapman, Charlies Doherty.

Reps (all used): Tom Nelson, Dan Kidd, James Underwood.

Tries: Gray, Chapman, Jones.

Cons: Piert (3)

Pens: Piert (2)

Referee: Revis Phillips (Durham Society).