The third team coming from behind to draw with CaNDY Division 3 league leaders Washington 24-24. Veteran Liam Larkin getting the final try with Scott Butcher, outstanding on a rare appearance, adding  the important extras.

Over at Belmangate the 31-31affair was equally tight and exciting with both sides retreating to the bar happy with their three points. They were joined by an Antipodean tourist who had happened upon the game and was claiming it would be one of the highlights of his trip.

It was a contest where the West pack dominated, once again, with the pacy and powerful Guisborough backs taking their opportunities in style. On a greasy day they hardly dropped a pass and were secure under every high ball.

The pattern was set from the kick off with West looking sharp and Ollie Connolly only just bundled into touch.

However, the home backs scored with their first attack. The move starting in their half on the right with centres Alex Ruff and Henry Turner combining to send Ruff racing diagonally up the slope to touchdown in the left corner to give his side a 5-0 lead.

Back came west and Man of the match Chris Atkins finally got over from close range after 12 minutes - Jobe Roxby giving  his side the lead.

That was soon increased to five points with a penalty after Aidan Jackson-Smith was high tackled.

 West continued to have the best of the territory, but disaster struck when a high clearance kick was spilled by Lewis Scott on the right wing. The Guisborough backs pounced again moving the ball quickly out to their right wing where Will Deeks ran in almost unopposed to level the scores.

It didn’t take long for Scott to make amends after Atkins was judged to have been held up over the line. Matt Siddle took the drop-out cleanly and, spotting space up the right wing, put in a chip kick which he and Scott chased into the corner,  with the winger taking the ball and able to run round (above) to give Roxby an easy shot at goal.

The seven point lead lasted almost until half time, but once again the home centres showed their class with Turner scoring and Tom Pajak’s conversion levelling the score.

West rang the changes with Nick Bennions taking a rest from his ball-carrying heroics and Ryan O’KLeefe on in the second row. Matty Baggs had been noticeably limping in the warm-up and finally succumbed with Matt Siddle moving to scrum half and 17 year-old Max Tobin  coming onto the left wing for his debut. He went on  to have a few gallops up his wing and notably cleaned up after Jobe Roxby was caught in possession in no-man’s land.

West were playing  up the slope in  the second half, and  again started brightly and  once again Connolly looked like he might score only to lose the ball in  the tackle as he burst from the 22.

The home  pack continued to go backwards and, with pressure building, West regained the lead after Rollins was high tackled in the home 22. The penalty kick for the line-out  was won, and this time it was the West backs who showed what they could do making space for Roxby to dive over to take the score to 17-24 in his side’s favour.

Back came the hosts with Ruff breaking the West defensive line, despite appeals for crossing in the move, with slick handling sending fly half  Robinson in beside the posts.

The scores were level once again with a quarter of the game to go. West’s response was to set up some frantic attacking in the home 22. Guisborough defendiong robustly to keep them out.

As so often happened the sucker punch landed when West looked to  spread the ball out to the left. It went to ground and the Guisborough backs once again taking advantage -combining down the wing to finish off an 80-metre break with Robson able to run round behind the posts.

There was 15 minutes left for West to save the game and once again  most of the pressure was in the home 22.  Coaches Andrew Rollins and Peter Youll led from the front but Guisborough were able to hold their line as West battered away in vain.

There was an opportunity for a shot at goal,  after the ball was knocked out of Siddle’s hand in front of the posts, but with seven points needed the scrum option was taken and defended.

The pressure finally told in the final minute. Once again  it came after hard work by the forwards allowed the backs to create some space with Youll out wide on the left still having to work hard to touchdown to earn his side a try bonus poin,  and give Roxby a chance to level the scores from out on  the left touchline.

Guisborough had billed the game as “Derby Day” with an early lunch for sponsors and guests to celebrate the occasion,  and one two became a little vociferous as Roxby stepped up to take the all-important kick.

Undeterred he rebuked them and continued his remarkable kicking record  to level the scores. One thing Joel doesn’t lack is confidence, or ability.

There was barely time for a restart with a botched line-out heralding the final whistle. Two sides playing to their strengths and a highly enjoyable if nerve shredding game to watch.

Next up are league leaders Northern at Brinkburn - another side whose backs make the most of their chances.

Guisborough: Lewis Robson, Will Deeks, Henry Turner, Alex Ruff, Tom Pajak, Jack TRobinson, George Speakman (capt), Charles Jones, Conner McFarland, Sandy Turner, Luke Berry, Rory Cosgrove, Ben Buckworth, Tony Mahaon, Charlie Mellor (capt)

Reps (all used): Oliver Taggart, Alex Wall, Isaac Fisher.

Tries: Ruff, Deeks (2), Robinson, Robson.

Cons: Deeks (3).

West: Matt Siddle, Lewis Scott, Peter Youll, Ollie Connolly, Sam Knight, Jobe Roxby, Matt Baggs, Liam Penick, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Andrew Rollins, Elliott Reed, Nick Bennions, Charlie Kay, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkin (capt).

Reps (all used): Max Tobin, Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Hutchinson.

Tries: Atkins, Scott, Roxby, Youll.

Cons: Roxby (4)

Pen: Roxby.

Referee: Mark Smith (Yorkshire)