We always looked the stronger side after an opening period when we forced Horden into giving away half a dozen penalties in their right hand corner. Ref Dave Sawyer warned them a penalty try was on the way but, in the end, all we had to show for it was a Davy Tighe penalty attempt which hit the upright.

Mr Sawyer went on to annoy the visiting supporters, who expressed some vocal concern that his nephew was playing at hooker for us. The official was on a hiding to nothing after being appointed to a local derby in which he had a family interest. Perhaps the Durham Refs should bear this in mind in the future.

The visitors did concede, however, that we were worthy winners.

The game mattered a lot to Horden and their fight to stay up. They even brought back back goalkicker Andrew Turner in the centre, after Kath Lennox had worked her usual surgical wonders. It had been feared that Andrew might have to stop playing so it was good to see him complete the 80 minutes.

We had our our own injured hero returning to his favoured position. Steve Black has been on the wing during his rehabiliattion from a badly broken leg, but finally returned to the back row. It was his tough luck that he has been suffering from a virus for some days, and it took its toll during the game with the result that he had to be helped from the pitch in the last quarter and went home looking very pale indeed.

But Blackie will think it was worth it after a win - and the fact he scored the first try after 13 minutes . Our pressure won a line-out 15 metres out. Chocky soared to take and the ball was whipped out along the backs where Black was in between Milne and Thompson and he cruised through a gap and Davy converted.

Horden then came back with their first attack of the game and might have scored if Paul Scott hadn't knocked on.

Their next bit of pressure came on the half hour, and it almost resulted in a score for us. The move broke down in the 22 and Hodgy made ground and timed his pass to Todd to perfection. He easily beat his man on the inside and made some 60 metres, evading two tacklers, before he was finally brought down as he went to take full back Paul Bruce.

Despite the drenching drizzle, and heavy pitch, we were getting the ball out wide as often as possible, and finally get the second try our pressure deserved.

It came on 36 minutes and was another beauty. This time the lineout was on the opposite side. But Chocky took it again and the ball whizzed down the line with Hodgy coming in at speed and somehow squeezing in at the corner flag.

Davy missed but took the half time score to 15-0 with a penalty.

Horden had the breeze at their backs in the second half and came out full of commitment. Turner also managed to hit a post with a penalty, and the much maligned Mr Sawyer gave the visitors a succession of penalties as they pressed hard. Turner did get three points back on 45 minutes after we were found guilty of not releasing in front of the posts.

The game had always been "competitive" but turned nasty on 50 minutes with a flare up from a ruck 10 metres into their half. Lots of fists flew and it was Henry Tones who needed the longest treatment. Mr Sawyer took an age to restart play, but before he did he sin-binned Horden flanker Dave Greenlaw. That may have ben a case of mistaken identity, and there could have been few complaints if one or two others from both sides had been yellow carded.

Five minutes later Horden were down to 13 men and this time there was no doubt about identity. We cleared up some loose ball 15 metres from our own line and, as the game stopped, Horden lock Craig Tait threw a blow which caught Darren Thomas in the throat. The home crowd was incensed and unhappy that Mr Sawyer only saw fit to brandish the yellow.

This should have been our chance to go further ahead, but Horden defended well and with the same spirit they showed all afternoon, and we were limited to just one penalty when they were down to 13.

But we did make amends on 65 minutes with that dazzling try from Dash and Co. which must surely be a contender for try of the season. The club is having its Presentation Night at The Staincliffe on April 30th - so you never know.

At 23-6 we were in the ascendency and did manage a fourth try. Again it was a set piece and the ball was worked out left where Thommo almost dropped his pass. He managed to juggle it as he went through the defence and touched down with Davy converting.

Horden's consolation try came in the last couple of minutes and will have annoyed our coaches who were very keen to keep a clean sheet. Winger Andrew Evans dived over after a blindside move.

Both sides will be back at Brinkburn in a couple of weeks time for a Durham Cup game. Horden expect to have Thubron back in the line-out while we will be hoping for drier conditions.

West: Peter Hodgson, Martin Todd, Allan Milne, Mark Thompson, Andrew Hare, Davy Tighe, Darren Thomas, Brett Cullinane, Tim Sawyer, Carl Robinson [Michael Geritz 60], Andrew Davies, Paul Rudd, Henry Tones, Steve Black [Carl Miller 70], Stu Bennett [capt]. Reps: Phil Wallis, Carl Miller, Michael Geritz.

Horden: Paul Bruce, Brian Foreman, Paul Scott, Andrew Turner, Andrew Evans, Ian Dobson, Andrew Raine, Michael Thompson, Gavin Davidson, Graeme Holloway, Craig Tait, Paul Armstrong, Dave Greenlaw, Andrew Temple [capt], Paul James. Reps: Michael Harland, Glen Bowman, Craig Gilmour.