In perfect conditions West were finally able to give their wingers some service,  with Sam Knight showing what he can do with a second half hat-trick.

It was also a day when the club was able to field three sides despite a dozen or so regular players injured or working. The Stags giving a good show at unbeaten CaNDY One leaders Alnwick before eventually losing  56-7. Better fortunes for the Bucks in their friendly at CaNDY Two side Ashington where they won 38-15.

At Brinkburn the first team were never behind in the game - despite  struggling to contain former Kendal No. 8 Steve Nelson. His ability to break, even when his scrum was going backwards,  meant he was involved in three of his side’s tries.

Both teams had reshuffles in the forwards. West in the back row in the absence of skipper Chris Atkins and Aspatria in their front row. And it was the visitors who started brightly - missing a penalty kick from 35 metres and then knocking-on as the backs broke up the wing.

West finally got into the game after ten minutes with a penalty for a high tackle on Mauro Rocha giving them their first attacking opportunity. Ben Reed, Sam Knight and Aidan Jackson-Smith all combining up the right wing to eventually create space for second-row Nick Bennions.

He was  able to reach out to touchdown (above) with Jobe Roxby adding the extras.

The West fly-half then took the score to 10-0 as referee Lewis Lacey awarded a series of penalties with a warning chat to Aspatria skipper Chris Graham.

The home  side kept up the pressure.  Man of the Match Jackson-Smith scoring a trademark try (above) as he broke from a ruck to sprint in from 20 metres,  with Roxby narrowly missing the conversion.

But all thoughts of West running away with the game were dispelled by the Aspatria No 8.  Nelson breaking from a scrum on the West 22 to send winger Kai Gilhespy in at the corner -  just too wide for the conversion.

Then from the restart the visitors get a very quick second try courtesy of a kick to the corner, which was snapped up by left winger Dan Weir. He  was able to run round to the posts to narrow the half-time margin to just three points.

Any nerves that West supporters may have had at the turn in fortunes were quickly dispelled by that Sam Knight hat-trick.

West attacked from the restart with Rocha, alternating at No.8 with Connor McLurg , making a burst which saw him stopped on the line.  The pressure continued with Aspatria defending resolutely on their line until a flatfooted Roxby cleverly passed the ball back through his legs to Will Hilditch. It was almost a parlour game as Hilditch did exactly the same to provide Knight with the space to  dive in at the corner.

Again too  wide for the conversion attempt,  but West took the score to a comfortable looking 27-12 just five minutes later. Reed taking a clearing kick in his own half and choosing to pass to Hilditch who spotted that the big Aspatria forwards were lined up on his left. He took them on – gliding  past three would-be tacklers to create space to send Knight in again for the bonus point try (above).

However, Aspatria  were not prepared to lie down and on the hour mark Nelson again made the break from a scrum to send in winger Weir for his second.

Back came West,  and it  was  replacement back row Alex Barker’s smart  thinking which started the move. He took a quick-line-out throw just inside the West half to send Matt Siddle bursting up the left. Charlie  Kay was in support  and he was able to find  Knight hugging the touchline.  The winger still had a lot to do, but his change of pace and angle saw him flatfoot full-back Grant Bethwaite to cross near the posts to set up a straightforward conversion.

The scoreline of 34-17 finally looked comfortable for West, but once again Nelson had other ideas. This time his break from a scrum saw him crossing to earn  a bonus point for his side.

There was less than ten minutes left for the visitors to pull off a surprise win. Their efforts thwarted by indiscipline as Mr Lacey lost patience with infringements as West continued to press. Flanker Charlie Scott was the first to end his game prematurely for a high tackle,  closely followed by fly-half Ryan Scott, no relation,  for  a similar offence.

West had brought on 18 year-old hooker Hayden Hodgson, for a promising and lively introduction  to first team rugby, and the pressure was maintained against the 13 men.

It was another replacement, scrum-half Matty Baggs, who claimed the final try of the game. He was quick to kick a loose ball from a scrum  on the Aspatria 22 and was desperate not to knock on as it bobbled towards the line - seemingly taking an age to gather and dive over (above).

Roxby’s conversion took his side beyond the 40-point mark -  a winning margin which was possibly a little harsh an Aspatria.

Next up for West is a trip to Keswick’s brand new clubhouse in the scenic shadow of Skiddaw. It has been an unlucky ground for West in recent seasons,  but with Keswick in third place, and having played one less game, it should be an intriguing contest.

West: Ollie Connolly, Sam Knight, Will Hilditch, Peter Youll, Ben Reed, Jobe Roxby, Matt Siddle, Andrew Rollins (capt), Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchnson, Nick Bennions, Elliott Reed, Connor McLurg, Charlie Kay, Mauro Rocha.

Reps (all used): Hayden Hodgson, Alex Barker, Matt Baggs.

Tries: Bennions, Jackson-Smith, Knight (3), Baggs.

Cons: Roxby (4).

Pen: Roxby.

Aspatria: Grant Bethwaite, Kai Gilhespy, Shane Cusack, Regan Tinnion, Dan Weir, Ryan Scott, Jack Clegg, Aarion Studholme, David Miller, Jude Wilkinson,  Chris Graham (capt), Charlie Scott, Matt Towe, Steve Nelson.

Reps (all used): Corey Studholme, Jon Miller, Matt Atkinson.

Tries: Gilhespy, Weir (2), Nelson.

Cons: R. Scott. Clegg.

Yellow: C. Scott,, R. Scott.

Referee:  Lewis Lacey (Durham)