Back at Brinkburn the Stags were the side who showed how to take their chances beating Durham City Saracens 69-12 in a CaNDY league and Durham County Second team cup double-header.

West had led 41 -35 at Hollow Drift as the game entered the final minute only to be penalised four times as City refused to give in. The pressure finally told with No 8 Will Jewitt going in under the posts from close range with Scott Rochester’s conversion heralding the final whistle.

It was a game where West had enough possession to come away with all the points. However, City’s ability to unlock the visiting defence when they did sniff an opportunity kept the game close throughout.

The home side did establish an early lead - making the most of several penalties. Skipper Paul Armstrong kicked the first and a tap penalty from the second saw centre Garry Izomor crash over to give his side an 8-0 lead.

That was quickly increased to 13-0 as winger Matt Quinn was able to force his way over in the corner.

With the West scrum proving dominant the visitors worked their way back into the game. Max Tennant was unlucky not to get on the end of a chip to the corner from skipper Ryan Painter with the ball taking an unfortunate bounce.

However, West’s first try was not long in coming with the Corbett brothers combining from a scrum. Jay went close, but there was no stopping Will who was in support (above) with Matt Siddle adding the extras.

The gap was then narrowed to just one point after West pushed City off their own scrum. Jay Corbett picking up to send an alert Isaac Robinson away on the blind side and his pass was well timed to send Tennant in at the corner.

West were then dealt a blow with Jay Corbett penalised for a high tackle on his 22, which saw him both injured and yellow carded. Chris Atkins’ arrival on the pitch being delayed for the ten minutes.

By the time he was able to get on West were trailing 18-12 as England Under 18 flanker Herbie Hay was able to take advantage of some missed tackles to go in at the right corner.

Back came West with Sam Knight sent racing up the right wing. He was tackled just short, but the support was there to recycle the ball with Siddle going over. The full back adding an excellent conversion from out wide to give his side the lead for the first time.

It wasn’t to last. From the restart West looked to move the ball out wide only to give away an interception that allowed City to force play into the visiting 22.  Full back James Lythgoe able to get his side’s bonus point try and taking the score to 25-19 at the break.

West started the second half in determined mood - forcing a penalty just outside the home 22 with the City defenders then marched back a further 10 metres for dissent.

It would have been an easy shot at the posts, instead the scrum option was taken with Painter picking up to send Knight in at the corner (above). Siddle’s conversion would have regained the lead but, in game of tight margins, it came back off the post.

Undaunted West kept the game in the home half. A back of the hand  pass from Atkins sending Knight away up the right, and when he was stopped it looked like Painter had found a gap. However, referee Andy Black ruled that there had been crossing in the move.

The next attack was up the left wing with Tennant making a burst which saw him kick ahead to force a City defender to take the ball over the line. The resulting scrum looked like a golden opportunity for West to score - instead they were penalised allowing City to clear the danger.

West continued to dominate territory with Tennant and Ollie Connolly linking to send the West centre over. Unfortunately, he was judged to have been held up and once again City were let off the hook.

However, West were able to regain the lead after Atkins was high tackled as he broke through the middle. For once the option of a shot at the posts was taken with Siddle notching only his side’s third successful penalty of the season to take the score to 25-27.

Once again it wasn’t to last. West were penalised from the restart allowing Armstrong an easy kick at the posts.

The home side had rarely threatened the West line in the second half. But,  with 15 minutes to go,  they did mount an attack where Lythgoe was able to cross in the corner and run to the posts - West appealing for a forward pass.

Armstrong’s conversion gave his side an eight-point lead as the game entered a frantic spell which finally saw Ryan Painter once again reduce the margin to one point. Frustrated by stern City defence the West skipper decided to chip from inside the 22 and he was able to judge the bounce to thwart two defenders to touch down to set up an easy conversion.

There was six minutes to go. West continued to attack and scored what looked like being the winning try with just a minute left on the clock. Painter taking advantage of Mr Black’s outstretched arm signalling a penalty to put in a speculative kick to the corner. The defenders were there but Tennant was not to be stopped as he was first to the ball (left). Siddle’s conversion was from the touchline and he nailed it to take the score to 35-41 in his side’s favour. There was time for a restart with West needing to gain possession and see the game out. It wasn’t to be as they gave away those four penalties leading to that final try as City once again made the most of their opportunities.

On a day when leaders Middlesbrough lost at home to Morpeth, West’s two points may yet prove invaluable as the top five sides all look capable of taking points from each other.

City: James Lythgoe, Matthew Quinn, Scott Rochester, Garry Izomor, Will Elliott, Alex Garden, Paul Armstrong (capt), Sam Tallon, Owen Chaplin, Kyle Wilson, Harry Watts, Howard Johnson, William Seymour, Herbie Hay, Will Jewitt.

Reps (all used); Mark Davison, Robert Tomlinson, Tom Hanson.

Tries: Izomor . Quinn, Hay, Rochester, Lythgoe (2).

Cons: Armstrong (2) Rochester.

Pens: Armstrong (2).

West: Matt Siddle, Sam Knight, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll, Max Tennant, Ben Keen, Ryan Painter(capt), Liam Pennick, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Andrew Rollins, Jake Linighan, Will Corbett, Owen Nugent, Isaac Robinson, Jay Corbett.

Reps (all used): Charlie Kay, Tom Robertson, Chris Atkins.

Tries: W. Corbett, Tennant (2), Siddle, Knight, Painter.

Cons: Siddle (4)

Pen: Siddle

Yellow. J. Corbett.

Referee: Andy Black (Durham)