Upper Eden completed a hugely successful Cumbria League season by maintaining their 100 per cent record.
Travelling to Workington’s Ellis Sports Ground to complete their programme they recorded a 73-12 victory over the struggling Zebras.
It means they have won all 16 League games, finished on 75 points – 19 clear of nearest challengers Whitehaven and in doing so racked-up 737 points, only conceding 121.
Upper Eden won’t know for a few weeks whether their outstanding performances have earned them promotion as the RFU are still considering the League formats for next season.
It would be particularly frustrating to remain where they are as two years ago, when the pandemic first hit sport, they were top but didn’t earn a promotion.
Chairman Neil Marston said: “To go unbeaten all season is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the dedication, commitment and hard work by all the players and coaches.
“This is the first time this has been done in the club’s history and we are extremely proud of each and everyone associated with this successful season.”
They had scored 11 tries, nine of which were converted by Oliver Bennett. Leading the try charge was Richard Addison with a hat-trick, while Liam Fox crossed a couple of times. The other tries were scored by Matthew Brass, John Blue, Ollie Luke, Kyle Glasson, James Birkbeck and Bennett.
They had got off to a flying start against the Zebras for within the opening eight minutes, they had raced into a 14-0 lead.
Workington did regroup and for the next 20 minutes dominated proceedings with well drilled attacking from James Beck, the McCrickerd Brothers and especially Sam Robinson, who normally plays at hooker but was switched to centre and played as though he were a veteran in that position.
Allied to this were several feisty scrums and it was Mark Murphy who emerged from one to crash over for Zebras’ first try of the afternoon on 15 minutes, though Robinson was unlucky to see his conversion fall just short.
Upper Eden weathered this pressure and their response was clinical and uncompromising as they stepped up another gear to shred the Zebras defence with three tries – all converted in the last 10 minutes of the first half and in the process wrap up the bonus point.
Trailing 35-5 the interval must have done Workington a power of good as they began the second half by again creating good moves from Beck and Robinson, but they were undone by a solid, trenchant Upper Eden backline.
But then the Zebras took their eye off the ball – and the price paid was four tries conceded in ten minutes and captain Andrew Bowe’s furious, passionate feelings were audible to all in attendance at The Ellis. He certainly made Sir Alex Ferguson sound like a timid choirboy.
Those words clearly made an impact as Workington took advantage of Upper Eden sitting back by dominating their half with a procession of scrummaging well marshalled by the increasingly vociferous Bowe.
The Zebras’ concerted pressure paid off ten minutes from time when another successful scrum led to Beck taking an off-load and scoring his fifth try in six games – making him the club’s leading try scorer this season. Robinson added the conversion.
Upper Eden were clearly intent on having the last word and did just that by capitalising on Zebras’ tiredness with two more tries in the last five minutes and the celebrations began on the final whistle with champagne and song.
Despite what has been a trying season, Workington can take pride in several performances over the past six months – the home thrashings of Creighton and Furness, the narrow defeats at Wigton and Hawcoat Park, plus the decisive win at Creighton which ensured no bottom table finish.
Next season will be a fresh start and hopes are high that this proud club will rise once more.
