West were without Tom Dixon, Ben Richardson, Luke Austin, Gareth Eddy and Michael Young. Sean Cairns and Arun Gupta started as the second row, with Andy Robson at No. 8 and Rob Bellerby on the left wing.
The first twenty minutes saw West pressing without breaking the Rovers’ defensive line, and with indiscipline conceding penalties nearly every time they threatened the line. After good mauling by the forwards Chris Forrest eventually went over in the corner for what should have been his first try of the season, but the unsighted referee ruled that it had been held. West’s pressure was beginning to tell, however, and the ball moved across the backs, left then right, to allow Chris Lambert in. Five minutes later another backs break down the line created the opening for Aaron Myers to toucj down for a try converted by Rob Bellerby. A penalty by Bellerby then gave West a 15-0 half-time lead, and with Rovers beginning to look tired a large score looked possible.
The tiredness proved to be only temporary however, and West had to work hard to control the game and tackle well withstand some Rovers pressure. Further tries from Stephen Short and Jon Norris, one converted by Bellerby, sealed West’s victory in game that was particularly notable for the spirit in which it was played.