At McCracken Park West and Northern shared eight tries as they slugged it out in front of a large crowd of former Northern players whose day had started early as they gathered for their annual lunch. The script didn't quite go as they’d expected as the West pack dominated the scrums forcing a stream of penalties as the hosts went backwards.

Their frustration was shared by the West faithful who once again saw their young side start tentatively-  going down 14-0 after just ten minutes.

Home centre Kyle Godsmark’s strong running tested the West defence all afternoon,  and he made the first try for flanker Dom Warby courtesy of a couple of missed tackles with scrum half Harvey Guthrie converting.

Five minutes later more missed tackles saw prop Cole Cartmell burrow over in the right corner with Guthrie adding an excellent conversion.

Against the second top side it looked like West’s afternoon could only get worse. However, once the visitors realised they had that scrum advantage confidence grew. So when the first batch of seemingly endless penalties were awarded in the home 22 skipper Ryan Painter opted for scrums.

Northern managed to keep their line intact although Matt Siddle did go over from close range. Did he get downward pressure as he stretched out? Even he wasn’t sure as referee Tony Lowery chalked it off.

The penalty count continued to rise as West pressed with the inevitable yellow cards eventually appearing from Mr Lowery's top pocket.

Fly-half Jack Rendles was the first to take the walk as he defended in his 22 closely followed by second row Sam Gaff. Chris Atkins, once again leading from the front, was the man to benefit as he forced his way over as West once again opted for a scrum from a penalty with Ollie Connolly converting (right) West's dominance in the scrum hadn’t been matched in the line-out where regular thrower Aidan Jackson-Smith and catcher Jake Linighan were both missing. As a result, Tom Robertson came on at hooker for his first game in almost two seasons following a shoulder operation. In doing so he became the 40th player to wear the first team shirt this season - some kind of record.

 With the try finally in the bag West were guilty of switching off against the 13 men with Northern forcing their way into the West 22. They were awarded a penalty with a quick tap catching the visiting defence exposed. Flanker Dom Warby going over from close range and replacement Jonny Dowell adding the extras to give his side a 21-7 lead at the break.

The second half began with yet more penalties against the home side as West lost second row Ollie Webster with Nick Bennions coming on for his first ever stint in the second row. He wasn’t fazed by the challenge, but it was a blow for big Ollie who was dazed and may lose his ever-present record as he recovers. This time West did come away from the 22 with more points. Ryan Painter finally spotting a gap (left and diving over with Connolly adding the extras to put his side within one score.

 However, from the restart Atkins was yellow carded as he put in a tackle which saw the Northern player unfortunately having to leave the field. It was judged high but not overtly dangerous as the home player ducked into the contact.

With Northern now enjoying a player advantage Dowell slotted a penalty to give his side a ten-point breathing space.  At the other end the penalties kept coming with West continuing to opt for scrums.

It finally paid off after 70 minutes when Painter and Connolly exchanged passes on the 22 to create space out wide where Sam Knight had come into the line and he was able to finish in style (above). The conversion was out wide on the left, fortunately Connolly had brought his kicking boots and West were now just three points behind.

The home supporters were looking decidedly jittery, but their side showed why they have enjoyed such a long unbeaten run when another quick tap saw scrum half Guthrie snipe his way over - Dowell restoring the ten-point margin.

It looked like West may have nothing to show for their hard work until,  with just a couple of minutes left, Jacob Wood scored the try which earned his side two points.

Once again Sam Knight had come into the line. He was unable to catch Painter’s cross-kick - instead he was able to knock it back into Wood’s path and he went over in the corner (above). Connolly again adding an excellent conversion to round things off.

There is now no mathematical danger of West finishing in the relegation places and, with two games to go against sides below them in the table, there is every possibility that West will finish in the top half of the table. A more then decent return on the first season back at level 6.

Northern: Thomas Chandler, Murray Brown, Nyle Godsmark, Nathan Whitworth, Ali Gray, Jack Rendles, Harvey Guthrie, Cole Cartmell, Liam Mullick, Anthony Rumis, Sam Gaff, Josh Cotton, Dom Warby, Tom McCullough (capt), Rob Lenderyou.
Reps (all used): Ben Dalton, Alex Surrey, Jonny Dowell.
Tries: Warby, Gaff, Cartmell, Guthrie.
Cons: Rendles (2) Guthrie, Dowell.
Pen: Dowell
Yellow: Rendle, Gaff.

West: Sam Knight, Jacob Wood, Will Hilditch, Ollie Connolly, Lewis Scott, Ryan Painter (capt), Matt Siddle, Jack Angus, Louis Adamson, Adam Hutchinson, Ollie Webster, Will Corbett, Connor McLurg, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins:
Reps (used): Nick Bennions, Tom Robertson. (Not used) Max Tennant.
Tries: Atkins, Painter, Knight Wood.
Cons : Connolly (3).
Yello: Atkins.

Referee: Anthony Lowery ( Northumberland).