With only James Evens and Chris Forrest unavailable coach Steve Barker had a strong squad to choose from, and the early exchanges suggested he’d got it right, as West, with into the wind, but with the advantage of a slope, pressed Moseley back. A powerful drive was stopped just short of the line, and only a whistle for not releasing the ball relieved the pressure. In these early stages West were commanding the line-out and looking the more likely to score, but the well-organised hosts’ defence were closing West’s backs down quickly, and with the ref alert to the ball not being released immediately a series of penalties drew Moseley back into the game.

Neither side were really imposing themselves until West prop John Greenwell was yellow-carded for dangerous play (standing on a player as he tried to reach the ball in a ruck in the Moseley half). It is often claimed that a yellow-card usually costs the offending team at least 7 points, and so it proved this time. The Moseley pack, which came into the game with a reputation for being strong and organised, asserted themselves. First a penalty gave the home side the lead, then a powerful rolling maul and subsequent drive gave them a try close to the posts. To their credit this West side never give up, and they carried the game back to Moseley, being rewarded with a penalty, converted by Rob Bellerby, that led to a half-time deficit of 10-3.

The second half was a different story to the first, as West began to dictate the terms. Some good kicking, from Bellerby and others, pushed Moseley back, and some tremendous West defence, as Moseley tried to run the ball back at them, forced mistakes from the home side. More of the game was now taking place in the Moseley 22, and West gained their just reward when the forwards, who were consistently holding their own against the impressive home pack, drove their way towards and over the line, with prop Ross Wood touching down for his third try since Christmas. Bellerby converted and the scores were level, with just under twenty minutes to play.

Both sides continued to threaten, but West were in the ascendancy, and another penalty kicked by Bellerby gave them the lead. Despite the closeness of the score West were looking relatively comfortable until another yellow card appeared with four minutes to go. West were attacking in front of the Moseley posts; Aaron Myers was penalised for not releasing the ball, and sin-binned for persistent infringement. The resultant penalty sent Moseley back down the field and set the scene for a frantic final few minutes, ironically in the same corner in which West had created so many problems in the opening exchanges. With a minute left Moseley drive took them to within 5 metres of the line, only for a knock-on to give West the scrum. The last play saw scrum-half Tom Dougherty, with his Moseley opposite number wrapped around him, put the ball out to touch to ensure West a fine victory.

A superb performance and victory, notable for tenacious and well-organised defence, and a first-class forward display, and credit to Moseley, both for the quality of their rugby and the good grace with which they took what must have been a disappointing defeat. Many of the West supporters there felt that they were the best side West had faced over the past three years; given the quality of the opposition in that time that is high praise. Credit also to those West players who did not get on, but who supported throughout, following the play up and down, and encouraging their team-mates on the pitch; squads win matches, and this squad has been excellent so far. The spirit in the club was further reflected when the team arrived back in Hartlepool, after 9 pm, to find the first team waiting to clap them into the clubhouse, with captain Davy Tighe shaking each player by the hand. Great gesture, much appreciated.

The draw for the quarter-finals takes place on Monday. Next Sunday sees the Colts at home to Middlesbrough in a rearranged league match, kick-off 1.30.

Squad: Murray; Short, Lambert, Dewhirst, Austin; Bellerby, Dougherty; Greenwell (Wood), Richardson, Norris; Robson, Dixon; Miller, Barker, Myers; Hunt, Cairns, Close; King, Robinson, Wager.