Upper Eden continued their winning start to the new Counties 1 Cumbria season but weren’t at their best in a 27-13 win at Millom.
They had to adjust to the absence of nine front-line players, while Millom tackled really well and there were a number of stoppages to disrupt the flow.
In a disjointed game Eden were only allowed to play well in short bursts, but by half-time had established a 17-3 advantage.
Young winger Josh Alderson, back from injury, scored two tries while scrum-half Richard Addison also got over. Matt Brass added one conversion. Millom replied with a penalty.
Although prop Matty Sanderson scored a try early in the second-half it still proved to be hard going. Many errors and stoppages made for a long scores spell apart from a second Millom penalty.
Jim Birkbeck did power over for a fifth Upper Eden try but Millom discovered their attacking potential and were the better side in the final quarter.
They scored a well deserved converted try and only some determined Eden defence prevented them from getting even more points late on.
