Despite the weather it proved to be a very  bright  day for the club. The Stags winning 31-10 at Percy Park (never an easy place to play),  and the Bucks winning 33-31 at home against a Sunderland Keelmen side bolstered by a few second teamers. The winning kick coming from veteran Liam Larkin.

The first team also benefitted from the boot of fly-half Jobe Roxby. His tactical kicking a feature of a game where conditions demanded the contest was played in the opposition half.

However, it was his try scoring ability which won him the Man of the Match award. His first came after just four minutes from  a line-out on the visiting 22. It was won by Jake Linighan, with Matty Baggs setting Roxby up with quick ball,  and he was able to sidestep a tackle and race over to set himself up with a straightforward conversion.

It took a further 20 minutes for the next score - despite West’s massive superiority in the scrum. City‘s strength was at the breakdown,  and such was the home frustration at not being able to turn possession into points,  that when they were awarded a penalty just  inside the City half,  West opted for the shot at goal.

Despite the wind and rain  Roxby’s kick had room to spare to give his side a 10-0 lead.

The restart led to City’s best spell of the first half. Stern home  defence kept them out,  and when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts the three point option was taken.

Back came West to effectively win the game either side of half-time. Roxby’s penalty kick to the corner setting up a catch and drive which saw Andrew  Rollins breaking  clear. When he was stopped  the ball was again swiftly put into the capable hands of Roxby,  who showed the same clinical finish to give his side a 17-3 half-time lead.

That lead was quickly extended to 21 points when West attacked from the restart. City looked to have snuffed out the danger after winning a line-out only for Linighan to charge down the clearance kick.

The West pack swarmed round the ball and this time City looked to pass along the backs behind their own try line.  Unfortunately for them,  the final long pass went to ground and West right winger Lewis Scott  was quick to react to beat his opposite number to touchdown

Roxby nailed the conversion with his  side’s mission now to secure the fourth try and a bonus point.

 It didn’t come easily as the conditions and frequent infringements led to a stop start game. However, replacement Alex Barker finally managed to  get over on the hour mark - another catch and drive seeing the West forwards too  strong for the City defence.

As the rain got heavier the handling errors and referee’s interventions became more frequent. City did get their try after being awarded a number of penalties, and with Elliott Reed in the bin, which drew them closer to the line. Prop Harry Bayes forcing his way over for a late consolation.

The result anchored City in second bottom place,  while West moved up to sixth. There’s  an interesting trip to Guisborough next week – the Priorymen having  beaten both Keswick and Morpeth in recent games .

West: Matt Siddle, Lewis Scott, Peter Youll, Ollie Connolly, Max Tennant, Jobe Toxby, Matt Baggs, Liam Pennick, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Andrew Rollins, Jake Linighan, Elliott Reed, Charlie Kay, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins (capt).

Replacements (all used): Alex Barker, Hayden Jodgson, Sam Knight.

Tries: Roxby (2), Scott, Barker.

Cons: Roxby (3).

Pen: Roxby.

Yellow:Reed.

Durham City: Scott Rochester, Billy Hutchison, Michael Graham, James Coxon (capt), Tom Harvey, James Lythgoe, William Tomlinson, Niall Pace, Alex Cole, Harry Bayes, Reuben Fellows, Harry Watts, Robert Tomlinson, Herbie Hay, Dan Toole.

Reps (all used): Andrew Kirkup, Russell Harris, Chris Metcalfe.

Try: Bayes.

Con: Rochester

Pen: Rochester.

Referee: Andy Flischer (Durham Society)