At Brinkburn the starting line-up saw three new faces in the key positions of 8,9 and 10 with skipper Ryan Painter, Ollie Connolly and Jay Corbett all away. Tom Shaw and Matty Baggs moved up from the Stags with both having excellent games, while an assured Ben Reed renewed his second team partnership at half back with Baggs.

Referee Adam Morrison was consistent in enforcing the high tackle law and Consett took early advantage with Brandon Asher-Wood slotting his first penalty after just two minutes.

However, West wasted little time in getting the first of their six tries. Jake Linighan took excellent line-out ball in the Consett 22 with the ball whipped along the backs where Will Hilditch found winger Sam Knight in space with a floated pass. Matt Siddle was wide with the kick. His next effort came back off the posts on the quarter hour after Tom Shaw scored on his return to the firsts. Linighan again starting the move as he took a quick tap penalty allowing Andrew Rollins to force his way to the line with Shaw unstoppable in support (right). Asher-Wood took the score to 10-6 with a successful penalty from 35 metres, before another high tackle on Hilditch saw flanker Bradley Smith sin-binned.

The West centre then looked to send left winger Max Tennant clear with another long pass. This time a desperate Consett hand knocked the ball on, but West were not to be thwarted from the resulting penalty.Once again, the kick to the corner resulted in a try and for once Linighan was not involved. West Man of the Match Rollins took the throw and was grateful when a Consett jumper knocked the ball back into his path allowing him to seize the opportunity to go over in the left corner.

Siddle had got his range and nailed the touchline conversion only for Asher-Wood to take the score to 17-9 with his third successful penalty right on half-time.

With Consett still down to 14 men West began the second half looking for the try bonus point.

It was not long in coming. Max Tennant looked like he was going to get it - only to lose the ball as he was tackled on the line. Undaunted, the West pack forced a scrum penalty with Baggs quick to react to find a charging Peter Youll to go over for his first try of the season.

The home side were on a warning that the next high-tackle would produce a yellow and it was the unfortunate Reed who took the ten minute breather.

Consett were quick to take advantage with powerful left winger Danny Patchcott on an overlap to go over in the corner with Asher-Wood adding the extras.

West held out until Reed came back on and a piece of individual brilliance from Siddle saw the lead restored.

The full back caught a kick just outside his 22 and, with two powerful runners bearing down on him, threw a dummy to start a run which saw him weave his way into the Consett half (above), where he was finally stopped with a high tackle. The kick to the corner setting up another opportunity for a catch and drive, and this time it was Connor McLurg, who had just come on for Tom Shaw, the finisher.

Siddle’s conversion was wide, but at 29-14 West were in the comfort zone with Siddle then adding an extra three points with a penalty.

However Consett, and Patchcott in particular, were not prepared to lie down. The winger getting his second try after another overlap which gave him space to run in behind the posts

With five minutes left, and the margin reduced to 11 points, the next score was an important one and it went the way of West. Once again solid line-out ball sent the home backs speeding towards the line with Hilditch timing his pass to Tennant to send the winger heading for the corner.

The cover was there but couldn't prevent Tennant from forcing his way over - Siddle adding a fine conversion from out wide to complete his side’s scoring.

However, that wasn’t the end of things as Consett got their final and deserved try right on the final whistle. It was Patchcott who completed his hat-trick with Asher-Wood again converting.

The win cements West’s place in the top four with the gap on third placed Morpeth closed to just one point and a trip to bottom club Kirkby Lonsdale scheduled for next week.

West: Matt Siddle, Sam Knight, Will Hilditch, Peter Youll, Max Tennant, Ben Red, Matt Baggs, Liam Pennick, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Andrew Rollins (capt), Will Corbett, Jake Linighan, Alex Barker, Isaac Robinson, Tom Shaw.

Reps (all used): Zac Southern, Connor McLurg, Adam Hutchinson.

Tries: Knight, Shaw, Rollins, Youll, McLurg, Tennant.

Cons: Siddle (3)

Pen: Sidle:

Yellow: Reed.

Man of the Match: Rollins.

Consett: Asher Brandon-Wood, Dan Patchcott, James Herdman (capt), Alec Tipene. Jayden Smith, Michaile van Wyk, Lewis Bowman, Matt Stewart, Jack Yarrall, Cameron Holliday, Richard Tetley, Oliver Smith, Bradley Smith, Jack Reed, Jack Beckwith.

Reps (all used): Aaron Stephenson, Jared Mataia, Tom Weallens.

Yellow: Smith.

Tries: Patchcott (3)

Cons: Brandon-Wood (2)

Pens: Brandon-Wood (3)

Man of the Match: Patchcott

Referee: Adam Morrison (Durham)