It was 9-9 at the time in a game where Stockton hardly threatened our line ... but every time we attacked we managed to spill the ball or throw out a loose final pass.

Still if you can win while not playing well ....

We began the game like a steam train with a Davy Tighe penalty knocked on as it fell just short. That led to five minutes of pressure in which Tim Sawyer did go over but was held up.

But it was the home side who went ahead on ten minutes from the first of Jeremy Good's three penalties of the afternoon. He ended up with three as did Davy Tighe and they both missed three each.

Wayne Brown was sin binned for a high tackle on 35 minutes and Brett Cullinane received the same penalty for the same offence on the stroke of half time.

Against the wind and the slope we had a much better second half. Steve Black came onto the right wing with Panda going to centre to replace Thommo who had injured an arm.

Steve immediately lifted the side with his strength and pace and almost got a debut try but put a foot in touch. Panda had a similar run, but was caught by the last defender, and both Martin Todd and Darren Thomas had great runs in which they burst clear only to miss out on their pass after drawing the last defender.

But then came the try which is no more than Anth Carr deserves.

His former teamates playing for the Stags could have done with him and Wallis. Against an ageing Stockton side they lost 7-5 ... much to Sammy Hutton's disbelief.

West Martin Todd, Darren Thomas, Mark Thompson [Stevre Black 40], Allan Milne, Andrew Hare, Phillip Wallis, Davy Tighe, Anthony Carr, Brett Cullinane, Carl Robinson, Paul Rudd, Stu Bennett [Greg Edwards 75], Carl Miller, Henry Tones, Tim Sawyer.

Stockton Graham Kell, Simon Crozier, Steve Thornton, Mattie Oates, Dave Braney, Jeremy Good, Peter Armstrong, Simon Brown, Glyn Delmar, Garry Skirving, Keith Etherington, Brett Wildridge, Ian Todd, Wayne Brown, Scott Powell.

Referee: Mr Gareth Masters [Shropshire - N. Midlands Society].