In recent seasons City have made a habit of winning  their home games against West in the dying minutes, Despite hardly being in the game in the first half, there were fears among the West faithful that they may do it again. However, another hard-working team performance earned a well-deserved win for Chris Webb’s side.

The team was once again missing some regulars including Jobe Roxby, Jake Linighan and Sam Knight who picked up a cheekbone injury last week. Fortunately, Ollie Connolly and Max Tennant returned to reinforce the backs and both made a major impact.

The opening half hour was spent with West enjoying most of the ball and territory. But they only had two penalties from Matt Siddle to show for their efforts - despite several probing runs from Tennant up his left wing.

When City did finally get into the visiting 22 they made the most of it. A penalty kick to the corner producing the goods for hooker Owen Chaplin  to force his way over.

The conversion was missed and West set about increasing their slender lead. It  took them only three minutes as once again  Tennant was given the opportunity to make a break from half-way. When he cut inside scrum-half Joe Cholmondeley was in support to take  the inside pass and dive over beside the posts.

West went into the break full value for the 5-13 lead, but City came out for the second half in much more determined mood.

It took them only a minute to reduce the arrears  with some forceful running stretching the West defence allowing second row Alex Cole to go in at the corner – again just too far out for a successful conversion.

West’s response was to mount a concerted attack with Connolly, Rob Thorn and Peter Youll all threatening the line before a knock on relieved the pressure for the City defence.

However, there were no mistakes in Aidan Jackson-Smith’s try. After moving from hooker to flanker he continues to get at least one try every game. This week’s was in his usual style – taking the ball on the 22 and swiftly eluding several defenders on his way to the line.

Siddle’s conversion took his side’s lead to ten points.  West had full back Will Hilditch to thank for keeping that intact as he put in two last ditch tackles as City’s strong runners burst into the visiting 22.

West then lost hooker Hayden Hodgson to the sin-bin for not releasing as he made a tackle on his 22. City wasted the opportunity as their kick to the corner resulted a not straight line-out throw. They had better luck when Chris Atkins broke from a scrum in his own 22.  With Tennant unmarked on his short side, and fancying a length of the pitch run-in, the West  skipper threw out a pass which went straight into touch.

This time City’s throw was straight and it resulted in a maul on the West line,  which saw replacement Charlie Hay touch down to take  the score to 17-20 with ten minutes left to play.

The stage was set for another dramatic late City win - instead it was West who regained their ten point lead. The very efficient Cholmondeley marking his first full game of the season by taking a high kick just  inside the City half. He intelligently created the space for Connolly to  begin a run which took him past some desperate defence to once again set up a straightforward conversion.

That was the end of West’s scoring,  but before Hodgson was able to return City managed  to set-up another nail-biting finish. Replacement Will Craven forcing his way over from close range  to take the score to 24-27.

West’s response was to mount a series of attacks. Atkins almost getting over as he sprinted for the line, however when the ball was moved quickly to the left Connolly was unable to hold  the pass.

There was time for City to snatch at least a draw,  but West were able to  keep the ball in the opposition half to secure a win which takes them up to third. Second place Upper Eden are the visitors next week.

City: Tom Harvey, William Henderson, Ben Speight, James Coxon, Michael Graham, Scott Rochester, Marcus Barnard, Sam Tallon, Owen Chaplin, Charlie Davis, Alex Cole, Harry Watts, Jack Thornton, Sean McCallum, Herbie.

Reps (all used):Harry Bayes, Will Craven, Charlie Hay.

Tries: Chaplin, Cole, C. Hay, Craven.

Cons: Rochester (2).

West: Will Hilditch, Rob Thorn, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll, Max Tennant, Matt Siddle, Joe Cholmondeley, Liam Pennick, Hayden Hodgson, Andrew Rillins, Ryan O’Keefe, Elliot Reed, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Isaac Tobnson, Chris Atkins (capt).

Reps (used): Max Tobin, Charlie Kay. Not used: Matt Baggs.

Tries: Cholmondeley, Jackson-Smith, Connolly.

Cons: Siddle (3)

Pens: Siddle (2)

Yellow: Hodgson.

Referee: Revis Phillips (Durham).