No such luck for the Stags who went down 24-12 at Middlesbrough

The Priorymen arrived at Brinkburn following a big home win against second placed Consett. They brought a large following knowing that another win would give them every chance of avoiding that dreaded relegation game.

It took West only five minutes to put a big dent in those ambitions. Peter Youll, playing in the back row and taking every opportunity to put the opposition on the back foot, was unceremoniously dumped in the tackle. Jobe Roxby’s penalty kick to the  corner setting up a line-out which was won by Charlie Kay to give hooker Aidan Jackson-Smith an  opportunity he wasn’t going to miss. Despite the strong wind Roxby nailed the conversion from out wide.

Guisborough came back and levelled the scores after a tap penalty on the West 22 opened up space on the right. Centre Will Deeks going over from close range to set up an easy conversion for full back Lewis Robson.

The response form the home team was swift. From another penalty kick to the corner the ball was quickly despatched to the backs -  Max Tennant coming off the left wing to make the extra man that take the pass from Ollie Connolly and  speed through the Guisborough defence.

Roxby took his personal points tally for the season to 209 with the conversion, but was wide with his next attempt just three minutes later.

Another penalty set up the score,  but this time Youll opted for a quick tap in front of the posts, when most were expecting Roxby to be given the chance to  add three more points to that points haul.  Full back Matt Siddle took the ball on and timed his pass to Kieran Scollay who was able to continue his recent record of scoring a try a game.

With the wind at their backs, West continued to press and had to wait just another ten minutes to secure the try bonus point. This time it was Siddle who was able to  finish off pressure on the Guisborough line. Roxby’s conversion taking the score to 26-7.

West flanker Alex Barker (above) had announced that this was his last home league game and was in determined mood all afternoon to ensure he would go out on a high. One charge  in midfield  was only stopped when Guisborough  fly-half Jack Robinson put in a head-on tackle, which saw him needing treatment for some time. Fortunately, he was able to walk from the pitch.

The second half began with a rain squall with the wind now in the visitors' favour.  Strangely, given the conditions, they  managed to lose ground when  a penalty kick to touch from 30 metres out actually landed closer to the half-way line.

West’s scrum had been dominant throughout  but, despite shoving the Guisborough pack sideways,  they were penalised and then conceded  a further ten metres for discussing the finer points with referee Andy Black. Guisborough taking advantage of the indiscretions with another tap penalty creating the space for Alex Ruff to send full back Lewis Robson  over.

Robson's was wide, but any thoughts of a second half comeback were dissipated when West  Man of the Match  Jackson-Smith scored his second try of the afternoon. He finished off a spell of concerted pressure stretching out to touch down despite the efforts of several defenders to wrap him up.

It then looked like the hooker had got his hat-trick when he ran a great line to take a pass ten metres out to speed over - looking distinctly aggrieved when it was chalked off for a forward pass.

However, there was no dispute over West’s next two tries which were both among the best of the season.

Sam Knight and Ollie Connolly combined to take the ball up the right wing with Tennant in support to finish off in style in the corner. Matt Siddle took over the kicking duties from Roxby, who had limped off, and his effort was wide but at 36-12 the game was well and truly won.

The icing on the cake came with the seventh try five minutes from the end.  Siddle, now playing at fly-half, sent Tennant away up the left wing with a well-timed pass. Knight was in support on the winger’s inside shoulder,  and when Tennant was tackled by full back Lewis Robson,  he was able to offload to  his fellow speedster who was able to cut a superb angle (above) to  go in under the posts - much to the appreciation of those on the clubhouse terrace.

Siddle was able complete West’s scoring for the afternoon. However,  there was time for a late consolation try for a hard-working Guisborough with winger Tom Pajak going over in the right corner.

This was probably West’s most complete team performance of the season and sets up  a final league game on April 11th at fourth placed Percy Park,  who are now just one point ahead. A reminder that the first play-off round sees 2^nd v 5^th and 3^rd v 4^th.

West: Matt Siddle, Sam Knight,  Oli Connolly, Kieran Scollay, Max Tennant, Jobe Roxby, Matt Baggs, Andrew Rollins (capt), Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchnson, Elliot Reed, Charlie Kay, Peter Youll, Isaac Robinson, Alex Barker.

Reps (all used): Louis Ward, Hayden Jodgson, Ryan O’Keefe.

Tries: Jackson-Smith (2), Tennant (2), Scollay, Siddle, Knight.

Cons: Roxby (3), Siddle (1)

Guisborough: Lewis Robson, Tom Pajak, Will Deeks, Alex Ruff, Henry Turne, Jack Robinson, Alfie Barber, Charlie Jones, Archie Turner, Sandy Turner, Max Wood, Rory Vosgrove, Oscar Bullock, Ben Buckworth, Charle Mellor (capt).

Reps (all used):Russ Polson, Isaac Fisher, Will Shaw.

Tries: Deeks, Robson, Pajak

Cons: Robson (1)

Referee: Andy Black (Durham Society).