Over in Cumbria Aspatria started with the slope and the wind at their backs. They knew how to make most of it with the boot of fly-half Ryan Scott sending the ball heading for Skiddaw whenever he had the opportunity.

It was a 50-22 clearance which led to his side opening the score after just two minutes. From the line-out the ball was worked in midfield and a sharp reverse pass from scrum half Jack Clegg sent Ryan Scott over to give the home side an early 5-0 lead.

Undaunted,  West fought their way back up the slope with a burst through the middle from Peter Youll resulting in a penalty for a high tackle. The kick to the corner was well judged,  allowing Man of the Match Jake Linighan to take clean line-out ball to set up a maul, which ended with Jay Corbett unstoppable (above). Matt Siddle’s conversion into the wind was just wide.

Corbett then had to leave the field, after suffering a chest injury, with Connor McLurg coming on where his hard tackling was required as Aspatria continued to kick deep into West territory.

The visitors gave as good as they got with quick hands and enterprising running forcing Aspatria back up the slope. Ollie Connolly crossed the home line after Youll sent him through a gap,  but referee Simon Barker ruled that the West centre had been held up.

However, there was no doubt about Owen Nugent’s try after 25 minutes (above). Jake Linighan powered his way into the home 22 allowing Siddle to find Alex Barker. His pop pass sending Nugent in from close range on his return to the first team after his debut two seasons ago. The wind again thwarting Siddle’s conversion attempt.

With the wind continuing to rise Aspatria regained the lead with finely worked try,  which saw winger Kai Gilhespy make ground to send Scott over for his second with Matt Irving adding the conversion from the touchline.

West would have been happy with a two-point deficit going into the break. However, with skipper Ryan Painter in the bin following a brief discourse with Mr Barker, Aspatria seized their opportunity for a third try. Once again, Gilhespy rounding  the defence to touchdown was in the right corner  - this time Irving couldn’t convert.

Despite being temporarily down to 14 men, West attacked from the restart intent on getting back on terms with the hosts. It didn’t take long for the score with Will Hilditch showing his balletic skills to twist inside a tackle to score as the ball was moved quickly along the home line. Siddle levelling the score.

It then looked as though the West winger had added to his score but he was also judged to have been held up.

However, two minutes later Will did get the benefit of the doubt after Siddle sent him in close to the corner. It came after West opted for a quick tap penalty in front of the posts with Aspatria hooker Adam Cavanagh off to the sin bin.  The ball squirted away as Hilditch reached out to touchdown, but Mr Barker ruled there had been downward pressure.

Siddle’s conversion across the wind was well judged to take the score to 17-24 in his side’s favour.

And it wasn’t long before the constant pressure in the home 22 increased West’s lead. Prop Andrew Rollins seizing his chance from close range with the conversion coming back off the post.

West turned down several penalty kicks and the opportunity to give them a two-score margin,  and the enterprise paid off with McLurg getting their sixth and final try with ten minutes left. Aspatria had defended resolutely on the line only to be caught out when the West back row seized his chance to rip the ball off a home defender in the same movement crashing over the line (above)..

Aspatria had struggled to get into the West 22 as they battled the wind, slope and hard-tackling. They did manage a final flurry which saw Rollins off to the bin as an attack was stopped in the left corner. Despite being once again down to 14 West held out and the five hard-earned five points saw then leapfrog Northern,  who lost at home 39-21 to new leaders Middlesbrough.

As a result West and Boro now share identical playing records-  apart from the fact that the Teessiders are in first place by virtue of a points difference of 126 compared to the Brinkburn side’s 125. It couldn’t be closer.

Aspatria: Ed Gate, Lewis Gascoyne, Matt Irving, Regan Tinnion, Kai Gilhespy, Ryan Scott Jack Clegg, Arran Sullivan, Adam Cavanagh, Jack Gaskell, Jude Wilkinson, Riley Thwaites, Jamie Lightfoot, Lewis Barwise, Chris Graham

Reps (all used): Jon Miller, Roman Quigleey, Dan Weir.

Tries: Scott (2), Gilhespy.

Cons: Irving

Yellow: Cavanagh, Tinnion.

West:  Zac Southern, Sam Knight, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll, Will Hilditch, Matt Siddle , Ryan Painter (capt), Liam Pennick, Tom Robertson, Andrew Rollins, Jake Linighan, Owen Nugent, Alex Barker, Isaac Robinson, Jay Corbett.

Reps (all used): Matty Baggs, Adam Hutchinson, Connor McLurg.

Tries: Corbett, Nugent, Hilditch (2), Rollins, McLurg.

Cons: Siddle (2).

Yellow: Painter, Rollins.

Referee: Simon Barker (Cumbria)