On a glue pot of a second team pitch (the adjoining main pitch looked in better nick) Boro deserved their win,  but the margin was a little flattering.

West had started the game with tremendous energy - battering  Boro but coming up against a smothering defence. As a result some ambitious passes and knock-ons failed to get the early score and it was the home side who , almost inevitably, scored from their first attack. Left winger Sean Moloney finding space in the corner and being able to run round to set up an easy conversion for Brendan Hill.

Undaunted West came back,  and with their scrum dominant kept the pressure on the home defence. A penalty kick to the corner was won by the hard-working Jake Linighan, but there was a knock-on as West drove for the line then slick interplay involving skipper Ryan Painter and Chris Atkins again came to nought because of another knock-on.

Back came West with Painter opting for a scrum from yet another penalty in the home 22. When Boro infringed again he looked to be in after taking a quick tap only for play to be  brought back. West scrummaged again with the ball eventually going wide to the left where Middlesbrough prop Josh Lynas was yellow carded for going off his feet.

Boro managed to keep their line intact  but it was finally breached two minutes later. Scrum half Chris McRobert was penalised for a deliberate knock-on but didn’t follow Lynas to the bin. Once again West opted for the scrum and this time Chris Atkins, keeping up his recent excellent form, fed Max Tennant who was able to go over in the corner - just too far out for Ollie Connolly’s conversion.

Having almost weathered the storm Middlesbrough then showed their class with an excellent break from his own half by prop Matt Helm who had hooker Joe Sawdon galloping up in support. He was then able to find fellow forward Finlay Magowan who sent in No 8 Aedan Moloney.

Hill missed the relatively easy conversion, but the score just before the break was an important one for his side who turned round 12-7 to the good - despite seeing little of the ball.

It was a different matter in the second half  as the  home side enjoyed more possession - making the most of their chances going further ahead with a penalty from Hill.

West did have their opportunities. A great break through the middle saw Aidan Jackson- Smith and Isaac Robinson combine to send full back Sam Knight racing up the right wing. However, he was stopped 15 metres sort and Boro were able to clear and going further ahead with a penalty from Hill.

With Linighan making some big carries, and Liam Pennick and Co. dominating the scrums,  West continued to battle. However, with Boro fly-half Shay Barritt and No 8 Moloney becoming increasingly influential the home side were able to step up a gear when it mattered.

Their support play was top-class and when centre Jack McPhillips was able to find a gap on the counter-attack he had speedy replacement Harry Bryce outside him. The try took the score to 22-7 to effectively clinch the game with less than ten minutes left.

There was time for a home bonus point try. It was a solo effort from flanker Ali Lang who charged into the West half where he launched a punt over the head of Matt Siddle and then had the pace to touch down with Hill adding the extras.

Against most sides in the league West’s work-rate and scrummaging would have had  a better result. They now need to maintain that form with four games to go and the battle to avoid the one remaining relegation place hotting up.

West are in seventh place and six points clear of Morpeth who now occupy that relegation place. Both Aspatria and Cockermouth have to visit Brinkburn - victories in both of those games should ensure that West will be in Regional 2 North again next season with a young side which is gaining valuable experience.

Middlesbrough: Matt Marsay, Sean Moloney, Jack McPhillips, Nathan Booth, Brendan Hill, Shay Barritt, Chris McRobert, Josh Lynas, Joe Sawdon, Matt Helm, Finlay Magowan, Adam Marron, Ali Lang, Rohan Brown, Aedan Moloney.

Reps (all used) Billy Campbell, Rhys Kilbride, Harry Bryce.

Tries: S. Moloney, A. Moloney, Bryce, Lang.

Cons: Hill (3)

Pens: Hill.

Yellow: Lynas.

West: Sam Knight, Matt Siddle, Lewis Scott, Will Hilditch, Ollie Connolly, Ryan Painter (capt), Liam Lennick, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Jake Linighan, Ollie Webster, Conor McLurg, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins.

Reps (all used); Jack Angus, Matt Baggs, Will Corbett.

Try: Tennant.

Referee: David Rhodes, (North Yorkshire).