The margin is just one point as West ran in eight tries against Keswick, while Middlesbrough beat bottom of the table Guisborough 39-8. League Table

It was also a great day for the Stags who maintained their own push at the top of CaNDY Division Two South with an excellent 26-18 win at Bishop Auckland.

At Brinkburn, on a perfect day for rugby, the first team set about their bid for the top spot in some style, despite the loss of two of their biggest forwards after a clash of heads in the first half. Prop Liam Pennick was unable to return with second row Will Corbett  off to hospital for stitches to a nasty head wound.

Corbett had already followed brother Jay in getting on the scoresheet. The West No.8 finished off concerted early pressure by twisting over the line from a line-out (above) after Matt Siddle kicked to the corner from a scrum penalty. Siddle kicked the extras to give West a 7-0 lead, which was quickly pegged by Keswick fly have Kieran Mewse with a 25 metre penalty.

But that was as close as the visitors came as West skipper Ryan Painter made a break up the left to send winger Max Tennant on a mazy diagonal run to the line to give his side a 12-3 lead.

The margin was increased to 16 points as Will Corbett crashed over from close range from a tap penalty (above) after Jake Linighan had taken Keswick’s line-out ball in their own 22.

The West second row then looked to be the player to get the try bonus point- only to lose the ball in the tackle as he went over the line. Instead, the honour went to prop Andrew Rollins,  who finished off pressure from a catch and drive by going in under the posts to give Siddle the easiest of conversions.

Keswick were able to mount their first real pressure just before half time,  and it resulted in the injuries to Pennick and Will Corbett as they both tackled the same player on the West 22.

Backs replacement Zac Southern was already on the pitch for an injured Will Hilditch, and with forwards Adam Hutchinson and Owen Nugent now on, West had exhausted their bench before the break.

However, any thoughts that Keswick may be allowed back into the game were dispelled by Ryan Painter just two minutes into the second half. Attacking the clubhouse end a penalty was kicked to the corner with Painter alert as he finished off the catch and drive. Siddle adding the extras.

At 33-3 the game was effectively won, but West continued to look to add to the points difference which would ultimately take them to the top of the table. Slick hands from the backs creating an easy run in for Tennant on the left wing - just too wide for the conversion attempt.

The visitors had worked hard throughout the game,  and got their reward with two quick tries to take the score to 38-17 on the hour mark. The first came from close range after a quick tap penalty in the home 22 - centre Peter Weightman forcing his way over. That was quickly followed by a superb finish from replacement Ned Barnes who collected a clearance kick on the halfway line to speed through a flailing West defence.

The home side then had to adjust again as flanker Alex Barker limped off - Will Hilditch having to come back on in the centre with player coach Peter Youll moving to the back row.

Any thoughts that the further disruption would lead to Keswick further reducing the margin were quickly dispelled. Jacob Wood collecting on the 22 to wrong foot three defenders as he wove his way over for his side’s seventh try of the afternoon (above).

It was soon followed by the final try of the afternoon. A chip kick from Siddle was chased down by Hilditch who was stopped just short of the try-line. However, Painter was in support to dive over with Siddle ending the scoring with a conversion from wide on the left.

A trip to Morpeth is next up for West who will be bolstered by the availability of Ollie Connolly and Sam Knight, who both had to miss out on this week’s game through injury, and with the versatile Aidan Jackson-Smith also available again. The Northumbrians are just one point behind the leaders.

West: Ben Reed, Jacob Wood, Will Hlditch, Peter Youll, Max Tennant, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (capt), Liam Pennick, Tom Robertson, Andrew Rollins, Jake Linighan, Will Corbett, Alex Barker, Isaac Robinson, Jay Corbett.

Reps (all used): Zac Southern, Owen Nugent, Adam Hutchinson.

Tries: J. Corbett, Tennant (2), W. Corbett, Rollins, Painter (2), Wood.

Cons: Siddle (5).

Keswick: Lewis Thompson, Tom Black, Ryan Weir, Peter Weightman, Chris Potter, Kieran Mewse, Matt Roper, Jamie McKenzie (capt), Henry Etisoy, Dan Allaker, Mark Trow, Karl Smyth, Lance Lake, Lewis Bell, Alex Hewett-Smith.

Reps (all used): Garry Holmes, Matt Atkinson, Nerd Barnes.

Tries: Weightman, Barnes.

Cons: Mewse (2).

Pen: Mewse.

Yellow: Thompson.

Referee: Andy Flisher (Durham)