West again started the game depleted. Michael Murray was unavailable and Michael Young injured, so when Andy Logan and Peter Dewhirst reported ill on the morning of the match coach Dave Short had to make some rapid adjustments. Arron Myers, still nursing an injured back, came in at inside centre, and Ben Richardson played flanker.

West started the game well, and took an early lead with a Tom Dixon penalty. Middlesbrough came back strongly, however, and forced West back, but failed to cross the line despite a number of determined runs and surges. Yet again West’s defence excelled in terms of organisation and technique, and the hosts were gradually forced back, the half ending with West leading 3-0.

The second half again began with West attacking brightly, putting pressure on in the Middlesbrough 22. Now it was Middlesbrough’s turn to defend well, and West could not find a way through, although another Dixon penalty did stretch their lead. Halfway through the half a strong run by the Middlesbrough No. 8 broke the West line, and their period of dominance ended. Now Middlesbrough had a session of intense pressure, helped by a sequence of wayward West passing, and they were rewarded when, after a series of penalties close to the line, they scored close to the posts. The conversion gave the hosts the lead, and, running aggressively, they threatened to extend it.

Yet again, West’s defence stood firm, and they gradually took the game back to their opponents. Two minutes from the end the referee awarded West a penalty ten metres out. Tom Dixon took a quick tap and raced through a gap to score in the corner. Middlesbrough had no time to get back into the game, and West ended a very hard game victors.

The last three games – against Harrogate, Gosforth and Middlesbrough – have been demanding matches, and it is to the team’s credit that they have come through with victories in all three, conceding only two tries. Next week sees the visit of Dinnington - who, like West, have a 100% record – for the game of the season so far.