As a result the defences were not as tight or organised as usual,  but that led to some of the most entertaining tries scored at Brinkburn in many a long season. West never looked likely to lose, however Aspatria fought to the end with left winger Dan Weir scoring a late hat-trick to send his team home with a much deserved bonus point.

Aspatria arrived with a number of seasoned players having a rare outing and  with only two replacements  - one of them was their coach.

A West side already missing a handful of players lost skipper Ryan Painter overnight to illness. Matty Baggs coming off the bench to have another accomplished game at scum half.

The "Black Reds", with a number of players with rugby league experience in their ranks, were penalised throughout for high tackles. They lost experienced No8 Jon Burnyeat to the sin bin after just three minutes after West second row Nick Bennions had made a powerful burst through the middle. The home side quickly capitalised with one of the more mundane tries of the day as Will Corbett crashed over from another penalty and Matt Siddle adding the extras.

The next try quickly followed with Siddle’s cross kick finding Ben Reed, playing an unaccustomed role on the wing, doing  well to take the ball and send Corbett heading for the line. He had Will Hilditch in support and the centre ran a good line (left) to take the score to 14-0 with only ten  minutes on the clock. Top try scorer Max Tennant then got in the act with a trademark try. Taking the ball just inside his own  half the winger accelerated inside to leave full back Grant Bethwaite flat-footed with Siddle’s conversion attempt wide.

Aspatria’s response from the restart was to force their way into the West 22 - powerful centre Heinrich Jonker forcing his way over in the corner with fly-half Jack Clegg slotting the conversion from the touchline.

Clegg was back in the action as he and Siddle both went to fly-kick a bouncing ball on half-way. Clegg was left clutching a shin while Siddle was sent to the sin-bin. The Aspatria fly-half quickly taking advantage of his opposite number’s absence to weave his way to the line to go in under the posts - taking the  score to 19-14.

With Siddle still taking a rest West came back  to get the bonus point try. Man of the Match Aidan Jackson-Smith began the move, forcing his way through the visiting  pack to provide quick ball for the home backs to spin the ball out to Hilditch. The West centre timing his  pass to provide the speedy  Tennant with his second unstoppable try of the afternoon. Zac Southern stepped up to take the conversion but was just wide. The home team were then dealt a blow when Tennant  had to leave the field with an injury. New signing Kieran Scollay coming on to have a promising debut in the centre with Hilditch moving  to the wing. West turned round 24-14 to the good and Will Corbett quickly set about increasing the lead . The second row took the ball  45 metres  out and showed a rare turn of speed (right) as he evaded three defenders and with the clubhouse crowd roaring him on he powered  towards the left corner. He was caught on the line,  but had the strength to touchdown for the try of the afternoon.

Three minutes later skipper for the day Andrew Rollins showed his own finishing  skills swerving his way through the defence after Siddle found him with a long pass in space in the Aspatria 22.

West were cruising and their seventh try of the afternoon soon followed,  with Peter Youll sending Southern over with a well-timed pass as the full back spotted a gap in the defence.

At 43-14 the game was effectively over,  but there were still four tries to come - including the hat trick for winger Weir. The first came courtesy of full back Bethwaite who had come into the line to create space out wide.

West's  response was for Siddle to get another individual score. This time dummying a pass to open up a gap on the Aspatria 22 to take his side’s tally to 50 points. A fitting present  for his coach Chris Webb  who was celebrating his own 50^th birthday.

Aspatria had refused to take a backwards  step all afternoon  and got their reward with the smart finishes from Weir to earn the bonus point.

West are on the road next week to take on a Consett side rejuvenated by new coach Cam Neild, the Newcastle Falcons back row.

West: Zac Southern, Ben Reed, Wil Hilditch, Peter Youll, Max Tennant, Matt Siddle, Matt Baggs, Jack Angus, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Andrew Rollins (capt), Will Corbett, Nick Bennions, Charlie Kay,  Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins.

Reps (all used): Kieran Scollay, Liam Pennick, Jacob Wood.

Tries: Corbett (2), Tennant (2), Hilditch, Rollins, Southern, Siddle.

Cons: Siddle (5).

Yellow: Siddle.

Aspatria: Grant Bethwaite, Lewis Barwise, Regan Tinnion, Heinrich Jonker, Dan Weir, Jack Clegg, Alex Barton, Aaran Sullivan, James Hunter, Jack Gaskell (capt), Richard Miller, Jon Miller, Jude Wilkinson, Riley Thwaites, Jon Burnyeat.

Reps (all used): Andrew Brown, Derek Benson.

Tries: Weir (3), Jonker, Clegg.

Cons: Clegg (2).

Yellow: Burnyeat.

Referee: Lewis Lacey (Durham)