On a breezy day West went into their Regional 2 game without the services of top points scorer Jobe Roxby, centre Ollie Connolly  and winger Max Tennant. There was a further blow in the warm-up with line-out lynchpin Jake Linighan suffering a leg injury.

As a result the squad was down to 17 men, with Ryan O’Keefe starting in Linighan’s place in the second row  and going on to have a fine game with Elliot Reed.

West began well, with Sam Knight unlucky to put a foot on the touchline as he raced up the right wing,  but it was Penrith who took the lead after taking advantage of the wind to kick a penalty to the corner.  Back row Jack Huddart finishing off a catch and drive with centre Isaac  Murray adding the conversion.

West drew level just  seven minutes later with a similar catch and drive - hooker Hayden Hodgson forcing his way over and full-back Matt Baggs adding the extras.

The home side kept up the pressure with man of the match Will Hilditch making some breaks through the centre.

However, it was his defensive effort which brough the biggest cheer of the afternoon from the home supporters. Penrith scrum half Ashton Hook looked a certain scorer as he weaved his way to the line from the 22, but Hilditch was lighting quick to catch him,  and with Baggs in support the West pair were able to  clear the danger.

Having survived that scare West went ahead  for the first time from the traditional catch and drive 25 minutes.  Matt Siddle’s  penalty kick found the corner with prop Liam Pennick stretching out to touchdown  beside the posts as his pack drove him over.

Back came Penrith and, after the forwards failed to batter their way over the West try-line,  the ball was eventually spun out left where full back Jonah Murray was in space to score - just too wide for a successful conversion.

West were then dealt another blow with the lively Matt Baggs limping off to be replaced by Rob Thorn. He took up his  traditional position on the wing with Sam Knight moving to full back. With Charlie Kay already replaced by Isaac Robinson West started the second half leading 14-12 ,  but having used both of their replacements.

Fortunately,  it didn’t take Thorn long to mark his arrival with a try. He powered over after taking a pop pass as West finished off one of their best passages of play.  Aidan Jackson-Smith, again making ground whenever he was in possession, breaking from a line-out to allow the supporting players to use quick ball to create the gap for Thorn who had come into the line from his wing. Siddle took over the kicking duties taking  the score to a more comfortable looking 21-12.

It got even better for West as Jackson-Smith got the try his performance deserved. Knight began the move - weaving his way through the visiting  defence. When he was stopped the West forwards piled in with slick handling allowing Hodgson to almost get over.  Jackson-Smith was once again in support to score the fourth bonus point try and . Siddle again on target with a straightforward conversion.

Unfortunately, Hodgson  was injured in that attack with Kay having to return from the bench.

West were more than two scores ahead but Penrith set about reducing that margin. Second row Morgan Bland taking advantage of a gap in West’s line-out to break clear and score from 15 metres to take the score to 28-19.

It got even better for the Cumbrians. They  took advantage  of another  line-out, this time on   the other side of the pitch,  for No8. Jason Tait to spin his way out of a tackle to get his side’s well deserved try bonus  point.

Murray’s conversion was wide,  but the margin was down to just four points with almost a quarter of the game left to play.

Having suffered those injuries, and having had to rejig the team several times during the afternoon,  the odds may have been against West holding on.

Intsead, it was skipper Chris Atkins who continued to lead from the front. He burst through from the half-way line  and with referee Andy Flischers signalling a penalty but allowing play to go on , the support play was quick and decisive.  Isac Robinson able to feed Sam Knight on the left wing who stepped  a defender to get what proved to be a vital score , despite Siddle just failing with his conversion.

Penrith launched a series of attacks as the clock ticked down and  as they looked to get a losing bonus point.

They were penalised on the West  line as over eager attackers went off their feet. Then Atkins again popped up to steal the ball as the visitors went for another catch and drive score.

The hard-fought win takes West up to fourth in Regional Two North with a trip to  Durham  City next week. It will be a week where the queue for the physio room could  be quite a long one.

West: Matt Baggs, Sam Knight, Will Hilditch, Peter Youll, Jacob Wood, Matt Siddle, Joe Cholmondeley, Liam Pennick, Hayden Hodgson, Andrew Rolins, Elliot Reed, Ryan O’Keefe, Charlie Kay, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Chris Atkins (capt).

Reps (used). Isaac Robinson, Rob Thorn.

Tries: Hodgson, Pennick, Thorn, Jackson-Smith, Knight.

Cons: Baggs (2), Siddle (2).

Penrith : Jonah Murray, Jack Mason, Isaac Murray, Harley Johnson, Sonny Askins, Nicholas Dudson, Ashton Hook, Jack Gaskell, Owain Holliday,  Adam Howe, Morgan Bland, Joe Kirkup, Jack Huddart, Jason Tait

Reps ( all used): Richy Dadley, Robbie Phillipson, Josh Swinson.

Tries: Huddart, J. Murray, Bland, Tait.

Cons: I Murray (2)

Referee: Andy Flischer (Durham)