An historic day for the club as the Bucks played their first game in CaNDY Three winning 60-15 at Peterlee and Horden. Unfortunately, the Stags' CaNDY One game against Northern Wanderers was called off as the visitors couldn't raise a side.

For much of the game at McCracken Park,  against a well organised Northern side, that single point had looked most unlikely.

Northern’s excellent support play meant they made the most of their chances. In the first half they had three scoring opportunities and took them all, while West rarely looked like crossing the line despite having a significant territorial advantage.

The home backs showed what they could do as early  as the third minute. A turnover saw them throw the ball out wide to the right where centre Tom Chandler threw a dummy to go clear. Will Jobling adding the extras.

West came back with winger Sam Knight racing clear after taking a cross-kick from Jobe Roxby - only to be brought back for being in front of the kicker. Roxby kept the pressure on with a 50-22 kick. Northern dealt with that drive from the line-out and continued to comfortably deal with West’s pressure.

Knight had another burst up his wing and Northern were penalised as he was finally stopped -  once again the catch and drive from the resulting line-out was stopped. West were then dealt a blow with Charlie Kay having to leave the field with Ryan O’Keefe coming on in the second row,  as Jake Linighan moved to the back row.

The feeling that it wouldn’t be West’s day, despite the territorial advantage, came when the option of a scrum penalty was taken 10 metres out,  only for the visiting pack to be penalised at the put-in.

Whenever they got the chance the Northern’s backs looked sharp,   and they took their opportunity  on 25 minutes with fly-half Jonny Dowell finishing off in the left corner. Jobling taking the score to 14-0.

It got worse for West just on half time as right winger Fakhri Faisal was sent clear up the right. Jacob Wood put in a great tackle to stop him,  however flanker Dom Warby was in support to take a pop pass and go over from close range.

As a result West turned round 21-0 and it wasn’t long before that margin was increased. Missed tackles in midfield allowing centre Nyle Godsmark to burst through into the West 22.  Warby was once again in support to go in under the posts to earn his team  a try bonus point

West were  dealt another major blow. Skipper Chris Atkins having to limp off with Jack Angus returning to the fray after earlier making way for Liam Pennick.

Northern were quick to take advantage with a sweeping move up the right wing ending with Chandler scoring in the comer and Jobling adding a superb conversion.

At 35-0 it looked like the game was totally over for West despite their first half efforts. However, Man of the Match Aidan Jackson-Smith showed that last week’s second half rally was no flash in the pan.

He got things moving on the hour as he picked up outside the Northern 22 to serve a tackle and race  over (above). 

Five minutes later he was involved again after Roxby’ penalty kick to the corner provided good ball. Jackson-Smith and Peter Youll combining to set-up Nick Bennions with the opportunity to crash over beside the posts to take the score to 35-14.

The second-row had been West’s best ball carrier all afternoon. He got further reward for his efforts as he reached out to touchdown in the left corner after a catch and drive had Northern back pedalling.

Last week never-say-die West came back from a 9-31 deficit to beat Percy Park 35-31. Northern were well aware of those heroics and, when they were awarded a penalty on the 22,  there was  much discussion  as how to best run the clock down. The option to go for the line-out wasted some time but, when West infringed again, they took the three points to increase their margin to 19 points.

The only chance of West coming away with anything from their efforts lay with scoring a fourth try to earn a bonus point. It finally came in the 79^th minutes with replacement right winger Lewis Scott  given the opportunity for one of his flying finishes in the corner to complete the scoring.

Newly promoted Sunderland, who have also made a six-point start,  are the visitors to Brinkburn next week.  Home supporters will be hoping it’s not another nail-biting game of two halves – or could risk just turning up for the second half.

Northern: Will Jobling, Fakhri Faisal, Tom Chandler, Nyle Godsmark, Jake Parry, Jonny Dowell, Harvey Guthtie, Josh Coombs, Kyle Blackmore, Matthew Siddle, Sam Gaff, Chris Darley, Dom Warby, Tom McCuillough, Rob Lenderyou.

Reps (all used): Ross Colesky, Hugh  Morgan, Dan Green

Tries: Chandler(2), Dowell, Warby (2)

Cons: Jobling (5)

Pens: Jobling.

West: Ben Reed, Sam Knight, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll, Jacob Wood, Jobe Roxby,  Matt Siddle, Jack Angus, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Andrew Rollins, Jake Linighan,, Nick Bennions, Alex Barker, Charlie Kay, Chris Atkins (capt).

Reps (all used): Lewis Scott ,Liam Pennick, Ryan O’Keefe.

Tries Jackson-Smith, Bennions (2), Scott.

Cons: Roxby (2).

Referee: Alun Ross (Northumberland).