West had Peter Dewhirst, Tom Dougherty and John Greenwell injured, and Sean Cairns and Chris Forrest, but Aaron Myers returned, and Michael Murray was available for the first time this season. Murray came in at full-back, with Rob Bellerby moving to inside centre and James Evens playing at scrum half.

For a change West dominated the opening exchanges, and it was just reward when a Tom Dixon penalty gave them an early lead. Another went just wide, and Doncaster were finding it hard to get out of their half. West were exerting sustained pressure, and eventually a loose Doncaster pass was picked up by Bellerby, who scored in the corner. Dixon hit the post with the conversion. At half-time West led 8-0, but it could, and probably should, have been more, though credit must go to Doncaster’s defence.

As in the other games this season, the second half did not resemble the first. West seemed comfortable in the first 10 minutes, but Doncaster gradually assumed control, and forced West back on the defensive. Just as the Yorkshire side’s defence kept the score down in the first half, so it was West’s impressive defence now kept Doncaster out. They did go over in the corner to force a nerve-wracking final 12 minutes, but it was not enough, and West held on to score an worthy victory over a good Doncaster side.

This was a much better performance, especially in an impressive first half, with much slicker passing and handling, and noticeably fewer penalties conceded. Next game will be in a fortnight’s time, at home to Bradford & Bingley in the National Colts’ Cup.