It was from such a throw that Boro took the scrum and the chance to threaten our line. They worked the ball out wide to equal the scores in the 70 minute.

We'd gone ahead with a similar move after just three minutes when Carlo Robinson followed up when Panda was hauled down just two yards short.

In between both sides slotted two penalties. The Boros indiscipline was a major feature ofther game not only conceding penalties but querying almost every one to give away ten metres. Skipper Fingland was eventually despatched to the sin bin for testing the refs patience once too often.

The main feature of our game was the mobility of the forwards, with Henry Tones in superb form and his colleagues beating the Boro to virtually every breakdown.

Ed Britton has announced that he wants to concentrate on playing for the University so Henry's form was a major bonus. Steve Black was also a late cry off.

The return of Thommo to the centre created a more balanced back line and debut boy Phillip Wallis looked comfortable at fly half and can expect to feature in more games.

There are still lots of things to work on - including those line out throws - but this was a more than promising display against a side which has only been beaten by league favourites Hull.

WestMartin Todd, Andrew Hare, Mark Thompson, Allan Milne, DarrenThomas, Philip Wallis, Davy Tighe, Anthony Carr, Brett Cullinane, Carl Robinson, Paul Rudd, Stu Bennett, Carl Miller, Henry Tones, Tim Sawyer.

Reps: Greg Edwards Michael Geritz, Paul Moss

Middlesbrough 15 Andy Micklewright 14 Danny Poole 13 Lee Richardson 12 Ali Little 11 Lee Davies 10 Ross McNeill 9 Peter Wright 1 John Buddinghton 2 Andy Catterson 3 Dale Sawdon 4 Ian Bradford 5 John Dixon 6 Mark Hatfield 7 Gavin Fingland 8 Dennis Gardener

Reps: 16 Jason Littleton 17 Tony Wilkinson 18 Ian Bircham