West kicker Joel Roxby had returned from the bench just seconds before the try was scored. It wasn’t ideal preparation for a potentially  match-winning kick and his effort was just wide to  prompt shouts of delight from the visitors.

Meanwhile, the Stags were also running in the tries with a 66-12 win at Sunderland seconds with the Bucks going down 73-0 at a strong Bishop Auckland second team.

The first teams shared 12 tries in a game where both sides ran the ball at will.

West started well with the forwards providing an early platform with a 20 metre rolling  maul taking play into the visitors’ 22  - allowing fly-half Matt Siddle to through a gap  to set up the conversion for Roxby.

Undeterred,  Sunderland came straight back to set the pattern for the rest of the game – slick hands sending winger Pj Fincken-Hayes in at the corner for the first of his three tries.

It got even better for the Wearsiders fifteen minutes later when a catch and drive saw back row Jake Wrightson touchdown,  with second row Leon Ryan taking the score to 7-12.

A mazy run up the right wing from Siddle then put the Sunderland defence under pressure and prop Liam Pennick  was able to force his way over from close range.

Back came Sunderland and  making the most of two catch and drives in the clubhouse  corner. The first was rebuffed,  but from the second the ball was once again  moved quickly along the backs. Fincken-Hays crossing for the second time to give his side a five point lead as half-time loomed.

However, it was West who went into the break in the lead .The Sunderland scrum was under pressure in their own 22 resulting in several penalties for the home side. Skipper Chris Atkins took the option go for another scrum,  and he was able to peel off and score with the conversion giving his side a half-time lead of 21-19.

From the restart Max Tennant almost made his way to the posts, after cutting inside from a break up the wing,  but he was tackled just short.

Sunderland regained their lead with a  penalty in front of the posts,  then  increased the lead to eight points with a break through the middle with centre Marc Edmundson taking the final pass.

It continued to be nip and tuck with another penalty from a scrum providing the space for  Sam Knight to go over to put West once again within one point.

Sunderland increased that margin by forcing turnover ball as West looked to batter their way out of the  22. Once again the visiting backs making the most of their opportunity and creating  a gap for No.8 Ethan Sutcliffe to go over .

The conversion was missed,  but there was no mistake with  the next attempt after another speedy break up the right wing saw Fincken-Hayes complete his hat-trick and his side’s scoring.

There was however,  still fifteen minutes to play and West set about putting things right. Once again it was Tennant who made the break to put the Wearsiders’ defence under pressure.

This time it was second row Elliot Reed who took advantage. With Roxby taking a rest on the bench, Siddle took the conversion to put West within seven points of taking the lead.

Sunderland were giving away penalties and an extra ten metres for backchat,  which provided the platform for West to drive for the line. They did get over but in the build-up skipper Atkins was prevented from joining in the action by a shirt pull. His reaction had been  to throw a punch with the inevitable red card to follow and the “try” being chalked off.

It was a massive blow for the 14 men,  but to their credit they once again forced their way upfield looking for a last ditch score from a penalty kick to the scoreboard corner. Isaac Robinson was sharp and duly delivered the try but just too far out for Roxby.

West’s two bonus points keeps them in fourth place with a trip to bottom club Guisborough after next weekend’s well-deserved break.

West: Jobe Roxby, Sam Knight, Will Hilditch, Peter Youll, Max Tennant, Matt Siddlee, Joe Cholmondeley, Liam Pennick, Hayden Hodgson, Andrew Rollins, Elliot Reed, Ryan O’Keefe, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins (capot).

Reps used: Ted Davies, Louis Ward.

Tries: Siddle, Pennick, Tennant, Knight Reed, Robinson.

Cons: Roxby (4) Siddle (1).

Red: Chris Atkins.

Sunderland : Ben Hutchinson (capt), Pj Fincken-Hayes, Marc Edmundson, Joe Cowie, Zach Campbell, Dean Edmundson, Alex Lamb, Mason Burnett, Ed Simpson, Devrim Koca, Leon Ryan, Andrew Wordsworth, Jake Wrightson, Farai Chikumbirike, Ethan Sutcliffe.

Reps (all used). Luke Wayman, Bradley Lndsay, Jack Thornton.

Tries: Fincken-Hayes (3), Wrightson, Edmundson, Sutcliffe.

Cons: Ryan (4)

Pen: Ryan

Referee: Alex Lamb (London Society)