Rugby - Eden lifted by home success (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Eden lifted by home success

10:58am Saturday 1st November 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

UPPER Eden gained a much- needed 19-7 win in Saturday’s home North Lancs/Cumbria League match with Burnley.

Although Eden were the stronger team throughout all of their points came in the first half.

The home side signalled their intent with a lively opening that belied the soggy conditions. With the wind at their backs, they won an early penalty which Matt Allinson kicked.

Eden’s forwards were driving and recycling with great vigour and and threatened Burnley’s line several times before a concerted ‘push’ down the centre for Bud Brown to spin out a long pass to left winger John Longdon. He raced over in a corner for an unconverted try.

Burnley came back with a try of their own, their speedy left winger capitalising on a dropped Eden ball to go under the posts for an easy conversion kick.

Eden noted the danger and ensured that Burnley’s speedster was well shackled for the rest of the game and they scored again themselves after more good work by their forwards – front-row Ian Gowing shaping a perfectly-timed pass to Adam Knowles who touched down in the corner.

By now Eden’s forwards were well on top and Burnley’s composure began to disintegrate. One of their forwards was sinbinned for stamping and Allinson kicked two penalties awarded for persistent infringements.

After the half-time break, Phil Sinclair and Phil Hunter replaced Hughes and Knowles and the referee declared that scrums be uncontested because Burnley had lost two forwards with injuries. The result of his decision was a pointless and scrappy second half.