Just when it looked like West were hitting a good patch of form and securing league safety today’s performance reminded supporters that the relegation dogfight is far from over. Some on-looking Rovers fans must have been wondering quite how they lost three times to this team barely able to catch a pass in the first half.

With a strong wind at their backs Stockton had all of the early play. Several phases and quick recycling of the ball got Alan Brown’s men all the way up to the West line were the referee penalised West for offside and Jeremy Good slotted over a penalty.

Into the breeze West were trying to keep the ball in hand and looking to get it wide at every opportunity. But the Stockton defence was good and being helped by regular dropped passes. The home side opted for a quick tap penalty inside their own half and as the ball was once again dropped in the line the visitors broke away. Having gone through several phases prop Simon Brown charged over for the opening try. Good made no mistake with the conversion to make it an early 10 point lead.

West were producing nothing going forward with some dreadful support play and bad decision making. Runners were breaking through the Stockton defensive line but it seemed the self-destruct button was firmly pressed down and throughout the first half West hardly looked like scoring a point.

Stockton, who were hardly playing quality rugby, extended their lead after 25 minutes with a try from flanker Brett Wildridge who was in support of a bullocking run from Jon Buddington. Good was unsuccessful with the conversion to make the score 15-0 and leave most of the supporters wondering what was going on.

The rest of the first half carried on in a similar fashion with West pressing for some points but mistakes costing them dear. Surely the second half would see some improvement?

Unfortunately the slight improvement in West’s play in the second half was balanced out by the inconsistency of the officiating at the breakdown. The number of infringements denied West any momentum or clean, quick ball but the opportunities were still there, they just went begging.

Davy Tighe gave West hope after 65 minutes with a penalty from the 22 and it looked like to comeback could be on when Andrew Hare went over in the corner and ran round to touch down under the posts only to see the Stockton officials flag raised for a foot in touch.

Mark Cholmondeley got a consolation try at the death, going over from 5 metres or so after sustained pressure. Tighe’s conversion sailed wide and the full-time whistle blew.

It was a truly diabolical performance and worlds away from the superb win at Westoe. Hopefully the players can forget this one quickly and produce the goods next Saturday in another crunch game at Redcar. At least they won’t have the video to remind them, as the camcorder battery gave up just after half time!

The final note will once again belong to the man in the middle. Much has been said this season regarding officiating and in the main the reporting has been kept positive. Today was a big test of that but on reflection even with some of the decisions West can only blame themselves for not doing enough to win. However, the referee allowing play to continue after a Stockton quick lineout on WEST ball summed up the day.

West: Todd, Miller (Wallis 40), Hodgson, Milne, Hare, Tighe, Thomas, Cullinane, Carr, Cholmondeley, Miller, Davies, Rudd, Boatman (Tones 80), Sawyer.
Sub not used: Bennett

Try: Cholmondeley
Pen: Tighe


Stockton: Bare, Crozier, Thronton, Kell, R Brown, Good, Jenkins, Buddington, Muirhead, S Brown, Skirving, Etherington, Wildridge, W Brown, A Brown.
Subs: Delmar, Todd, Armstrong

Tries: S Brown, Wildridge
Con: Good
Pen: Good

Referee: (Liverpool)