The visitors arrived having secured promotion to join the Stags in CaNDY One next season and on this showing they will more than hold their own.

But it was the Stags who made the early running courtesy of second row Will Corbett who has only just returned to training after missing most of the season with work commitments. He twisted and turned to forced  his way over after just five minutes and then again on the 20 minute mark(above)  to secure a 14-3 lead.

Jacob Wood was then yellow carded for a high tackle . Horden taking advantage with a try wide out on their left,  followed by a score under the posts after Stags' full back Joe Cholmondeley was unable to put his name on a high kick.

Back came the Stags with Ryan O’Keefe making a burst into the visiting 22 . When he was brought down the indefatigable 40 year-old  Greg Edwards was on hand to take the pop pass and score to give his side a 21-15 lead at the break.

That lead was increased by the returning Jacob Wood who twice showed his class to glide  through the defence to make it 33-15.

But  once again the visitors, egged on by their vociferous bench and supporters,  worked their way back into the game with two tries from close range to  narrow the Stags’ lead to just six points.

The vital breathing  space was provided by the lively Cholmondeley who came into the line to finish off concerted pressure with Zac Southern adding another excellent ty conversion to take the score to 40-32 with ten minutes left.

The Stags fly-half then added a penalty as his side looked to close the game out,  but Horden had other ideas as they once again  forced  their way over to reduce that lead to just  four points.

It set up a tense last few minutes in the gloom,  but in the end it was West skipper Jonny Wray who received the Pyman Cup from former Northumberland Ladies Golf captain Elspeth Pyman (above) and a fitting finale for former skipper Jimmy Tyers as he and brother Matty retire after great service for the various West teams.

Stags: Joe Cholmondeley, Jacob Wood, Kyle Jamieson, Greg Edwards, Max Tobin, Zac Southern, Will Tighe, Jack Angus, Jimmy Tyers, Fraser Henderson, Will Corbett, Jonny Wray (capt), Aaron Muir, Louis Ward, Ryan O’Keefe.

Reps (all used): Liam Liston, Matty Ward, Jack Mulchay, Ollie Webster, Odin Thorpe, Tom Shaw, Tom Carling.

Peterlee and Horden IIs: Ross Brymer, Jack Brown, Scott Pacey, Devan Fisher, Fin Harvey, Joe Cox, Neil Hartley, Will Cahill, Jason Cleary (capt), Rhys Turner, Riley Corner, Fin Ward, Zak Robinson, Adam Lowe, Reece Piasecki

Reps (all used): Logan Robinson, Adam Ryan, Mathew Caygill, Craig Heckles, Declan Crawford, Harry Cowell, Jake Richardson.

Referee: Mark Harrington.