Also a bad day for the Stags who lost their own Durham second team cup game 45 -59 at home to Stockton Saracens.
The game at Hollow Drift became a double-header after West conceded the right to stage the Cup element of the game at Brinkburn. They did come away with a try bonus point and, with two games left, they are just four points behind Percy Park, Keswick and Sunderland who currently occupy the remaining play-off places.
None of these clubs are currently setting the league on fire. The prospect of a four-game play-off competition,. with the dubious prize of having to put together a squad at relatively short notice which could hold its own in the higher league, does not appear to be inspiring any of the contenders.
BY comparison the fight to avoid finishing in the two relegation play-offs is energising the clubs involved, which was aptly demonstrated by a City side which added the West scalp to those of Consett and Morpeth in recent weeks.
The home side set off like a train - scoring an early penalty from Scott Rochester followed by a try in the corner for flanker Sean McCallum.
West centre Ollie Connolly steadied the ship, after finishing of a spell of pressure, by running a great line to go in behind the posts to take the score to 8-7.
City came back immediately with their backs looking dangerous whenever they got into the visiting half. They were able to create space too easily for right winger Will Elliott to take advantage of the bounce from a kick through.
Rochester missed with his conversion, but he added to his personal tally three minutes later as missed tackles gave him space out wide on the left and the opportunity to run round to set up a simple conversion.
West had the better of the scrum throughout the game and had their best spells either side of half-time. Concentrated pressure had the home defenders working hard on their own line and giving away a series of penalties, which resulted in back row McCallum off to the bin.
West’s patience being rewarded when Peter Youll was able find Kieran Scollay wide on the left and he was able to step inside to score. Jobe Roxby’s conversion was wide but at 20-12 at the break there was still all to play for.
That late first half score motivated the visitors who were camped in the home 22 from the restart, but had to wait until the 50th minute too close the gap still further. Full back Matt Siddle was tackled on the line as City tackled for their lives but scrum half Matt Baggs was on hand to collect and score with Roxby adding the extras.
The West fly-half then put his side into the lead for the first time as he slotted a penalty from 30 metres.
Any hopes that West could go on to close the game down were quickly dispelled as City took advantage of a penalty to opt for a line-out, which saw centre Nathan Bushnell burst through a gap and touchdown behind the posts. Much to the delight and relief of the home supporters on the club house balcony.
And the game was effectively won five minutes later. Once again City taking advantage of a penalty kick to the corner with fly-half James Lythgoe scoring City’s final try of the afternoon.
However, they weren’t finished with the soring as Rochester was able to land three penalties in the final quarter to take his side’s tally to 41.
Roxby was able to add a penalty to West’s score and they did get a deserved reward with the final move of the game. Once again concerted pressure allowed coach Peter Youll to crash over from short range to give his side a consolation bonus point.
The result leaves City and Guisborough fighting it out for the remaining relegation play-off place against Aspatria. The Priorymen are the visitors to Brinkburn next week for the final home league game. It promises to be another tense battle with Guisborough hoping to be in contention as they host City on the final day.
City: Scott Rochester, Will Elliott, Ben Speight, Nathan Bushnell, Michael Graham, James Lythgoe, Paul Armstong , Sam Tallon (capt), Jack Thornton, Harry Hayes, Harry Watts, Mark Davison, Herbie Hay, Sean McCallum, Dan Toole.
Reps (all used): Tom Thirkell,, Tom Harvey, Alex Cole.
Tries: McCallum, Elliott, Rochester, Bushnell, Lythgoe.
Cons: Rochester (2)
Pens: Rochester (4)
Yellow: McCallum
West: Matt Siddle, Sam Knight, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll, Kieran Scollay, Jobe Roxby, Matt Baggs, Andrew RTollins, Hayden Hodgson, Adam Hutchinson, Elliot Red, Chris Atkins (capt), Zaidan Jackson-Smith, Charlie Kay, Alex Barker.
Reps (used). Jacob Wood, Aaron Muir. Not used: Max Tennant
Tries: Connolly, Scollay, Baggs, Youll.
Cons: Roxby (3)
Pens: Roxby (2).
Referee: Nick Evans (Durham)