The Brinkburn game was marred with a serious leg injury to Sheffield flanker Andy Kelly who suffered a horrible looking double fracture. Fortunately, Chocky Davies spotted his predicament and went quickly to his aid and Referee Rob White was also quick to act. We wish Andy a speedy recovery after his stay in the General Hospital
With the exception of Andy Palmer, in at tighthead for the still injured Carl Robinson, this was the same West side which had run in 15 tries in the last three games while Sheffield have been showing relegation form in the last month.
The visitors looked to be continuing in the same vein when they were on the back foot for the first 15 minutes. We forced three penalties in the first two minutes and, from a swift catch and drive at a line out, it was Brett Cullinane who scored in the corner. James Masshedar scuffed the conversion.
We kept up the pressure winning line-out ball and taking several scrums against the head but couldn't add to the score.
With the wind at their backs the visitors could only make rare visits to our half but indiscipline gave them the initiative and an unexpected opportunity to get back in the game.
Twice referee Rob White penalised the West forwards for offences at the breakdown and Sheffield centre Matt Burgess accepted both opportunities to give his side an unexpected 6-5 lead at the break. It is fair to say that Mr White's interpreation of the breakdown didn't win him many friends with home supporters.
We had the elements in our favour in the second half, but for the second week running failed to make full use of the strong breeze.
The half started well enough with a try for Chocky on 55 minutes. We had pressed wide on the Sheffield left and the ball was soon back across to the right where Greg Edwards and Martin Todd were both held up, But Davies arrived in support to pick up and charge over. Once again the conversion was missed..
This could have been the signal for us to close the game and play the game in the visitors half but instead it was Sheffield who had the greater share of territory. On a rare visit West finally got a kick between the posts when Phil Wallis took over duties and slotted a 25 metre penalty to bring great sighs of relief from the home supporters.
But Sheffield came back and got the try their pressure deserved when full back Luke Mason came into the line. He jinked inside the cover to go in under the post to set up an easy conversion for Burgess.
Brett Cullinane had already been sin-binned after Mr White warned the home side about deliberately handling the ball in the ruck.
Both sides had a go in the last ten minutes but to no avail.

West: Masshedar, Thomas, Hodgson, Edwards, Todd, Wallis, Tighe [capt], Carr, Cullinane, Palmer, Davies, Rudd, D Boatman, J Boatman, Sawyer. Reps: Tones, C Miller, Williamson.
Sheffield: Mason, Link, Amos, Burgess, Whalley, Davies, Cox,, Atkinson, Kelly, Skinner, Coombs, Hutchinson, Marples, Subs: Byron, Thursfield, Wattam,