The game at Consett was won in the first half  by a home side whose enterprising backs made the most of their chances to run in five tries.

West prevented them from crossing the line in the second half,  while securing a try bonus point of their own. It was scant reward for a pack which once again  had the better of the set-pieces throughout.

Consett have been bolstered by the arrival of several South Africans,  but it was a fellow countryman who has been around for some time,  at  both  Sale FC and Mowden Park,  who did the first half damage. Playing at full-back Brandon Asher-Wood was involved in the first try after just three minutes. A swift attack creating space on the left wing for Dan Patchott to touchdown with scrum-half Lewis Bowman notching the first of his five conversions.

Undaunted, West came back and drew level ten minutes  later as Matt Siddle, at fly-half in the absence of the injured Jobe Roxby, timed his pass to send Ollie Connolly steaming over (above)

It was entertaining stuff as Max Tennant and Consett winger Ethan Renwick had a 40-metre foot race to chase down a kick down the wing. The West winger was the first to the ball and the pressure was relieved as he won a penalty.

West full back Sam Knight then ran a great line to take a well-timed pass from Peter Youll on the half-way line. It looked like he may go all the way but was finally brought down 15 metres out and then penalised for holding on.

Consett used the opportunity to force their way back to the West half and got their second try as Asher-Wood took advantage of a missed tackle on the 22. He was caught on the line - just  managing  to touchdown with Bowman adding the extras.

It was still nip and tuck with Siddle making an swift break up the right. The ball was kicked on with right winger Lewis Scott in hot pursuit an the Consett defence in a panic. However, it fell kindly for them with the drop-out once again clearing the danger.

There then followed  the mad five minutes which won the game.  Some swift handling seeing Asher-Wodd  in at the corner with the conversion going over after hitting the far post.

Then right winger Renwick chased down a speculative kick down the touchline and was able to touchdown just before it cleared the dead-ball line.

Worse was to come as Consett scored right on half-time. An overthrown line-out ball  on the West 22 was seized on by fly-half Ish Perkins who threw a dummy pass to create space to send in fellow South African Kevan Slow - taking the score to 35-7 at the break.

To their credit the West  players refused to believe that was game-over. An early second-half score was needed,  and it came after skipper Chris Atkins was held-up after he forced his way over the line. From the scrum the backs made space on the left giving Tennant an easy touchdown on the corner with the conversion attempt just wide.

The pressure was now all coming from West  and it took only five minutes for the arrears to be reduced again. Nick Bennions  adding to his try-scoring tally (above) as he proved unstoppable from a catch and drive with Siddle successful with the conversion.

Two minutes later things got even better as Knight chased down Scott's kick from the half-way to earn his side’s try-bonus point. Sidd’s successful conversion from out wide taking the score to 35-26 and putting the home supporters on edge with still 25 minutes to play.

Sadly for West  that was as good as it got.  Despite plenty of effort, which forced  a succession of penalties against the home side,  the visitors couldn’t add to their tally. As frustration set-in over decisions at the breakdown West were marched back ten metres for backchat to the referee and then a further ten metres, which put the penalty kick in range. There was a let-off as the  shot at goal was just wide.

However, Bowman was then successful with a straightforward penalty in front of the posts to end the scoring.

West did continue to attack, but when the ball was dropped on the Consett 22, the home side cleared with a long  kick. That led to  an unlikely race between winger Patchcott and West prop Liam Pennick who did manfully to chase back 50 metres  into his own  half. Fortunately for West, Sam Knight raced across from the opposite wing and he was awarded a penalty as he just prevented the home winger from gathering.

West are in County Cup action at Peterlee and Horden next week before two vital home games in the league.

Bottom club Wigton  are first up followed by Durham City.West will be looking for maximum points to ease themselves away from the relegation play-offs. The weekend results, with Upper Eden ending Northern’s unbeaten run and Guisborough winning at second place Keswick,  leaves West just two points ahead of the relegation play-off places. League Table.

Consett: Brendon Asher-Wood, Ethan Renwick, Kevan Slow, Reece Plumtree, Dan Patchcott, Ish Perkins, Lewis Bowman (apt), Oli Smith, Elijah Brooks-Bowen, Matt Stewart, Kieran Jervis, George Brain, Aaron Stephenson, Bradley Smith, Jack Beckwith.

Reps (all used): Zak Ringer, Tom Weallens, James Herdman.

Tries: Patchott, Asher-Wood (2) , Renwick, Slow.

Cons:  Bowman (5).

Pen: Bowman.

West: Sam Knight, Lewis Scott, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll,  Max Temnant, Matt Siddle, Matt Baggs, Liam Pennick, Andrew Rollins, Sam Hutchinson, Jake Linighan, Nick Bennions, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins (capt).

Reps (used: Ben Reed, Charlie Kay. Not used: Alec Barker.

Tries: Connolly, Tennant, Bennions, Knight.

Cons: Siddle (3).

Referee: Marc Fusil (London and SE Society)