From the usual Colts team West had Howard, Hunt and Miller ineligible. With Bellerby injured, Forrest and Evens on Boys Brigade tour, and Myers on England tour, Willetts and Butcher were called up from the u17s.
The match started dramatically, with 25 points in the opening twenty minutes. Centre Chris Lambert went over first for West, with Tom Dixon converting, but Darlington pulled back level a few minutes later. Two Dixon penalties restored West’s lead, only for another Darlington driving maul pulling the lead back to a single point. So far the match had been end to end, but two more tries saw West pull away before half-time, with the forwards proving that they too could maul their way over the line, as first second-row Tom Dixon and then flanker Chris Willetts went over to give West a 23-12 interval lead.
As their opponents tired West began to dominate, playing some expansive rugby, and Darlington were compelled to defend, which to their credit they did with real competitiveness. Nevertheless, West scored three more tries: Flanker Tom Barker went over at the end of a flowing move; Tom King, on at full back, provided the overlapping run on the left wing and went over for a well-deserved try; finally, centre Peter Dewhirst forced his way through for the final try under the posts. Two conversions from Dixon gave a final scoreline of 42-12, and sealed six consecutive County titles for this team.
18s Win Cup
By Jon Dewhirst - April 24 2006
In a wonderfully entertaining match, West retained their title of county champions with a skilful display of attacking rugby.