The Cumberland/Cumbria County Cup will have seen many memorable games in the 140 years since the competition started.
Obviously we know little or nothing about some of the Cup-ties over the intervening years.
But it’s doubtful whether any could have matched the epic semi-final at Pennine Park.
The old competition has struggled in recent years, relegated in interest firmly behind League considerations. It has been in need of a lift, especially after too many clubs have conceded or just pulled out in recent years.
Indeed Saturday’s other semi-final provided a walk-over when one of the participants scratched because of mounting injury issues.
However, the semi-final that went ahead at Pennine Park showed what the competition can offer – a proper David and Goliath clash with a shock result.
It was a match and result that was not only good for the Cumbria Cup but also for the game in the county.
Upper Eden, who play two levels below Kendal, came out on top 29-22 after an epic contest which had the 800 crowd enthralled. The home side, Cumbria League champions with a 100 per cent record last season, were denied promotion through RFU re-organisation.
But in reaching their first County Cup final they have accounted for Aspatria and Kendal, two sides playing their League trade above their conquerors.
No wonder Upper Eden chairman Neil Marston admitted he shed a tear at the final whistle. If his club can go all the way and beat neighbours Penrith in the final he will be in floods of tears.
He said: “I’m extremely proud of all the players and those involved at the club. The lads are a tight bunch and play for each other.
“I think after winning the League without dropping a point, and then missing out on promotion, we have had a point to prove in the County Cup.”
Credit to Kendal they took the game seriously, starting with virtually the same team that played in the League at Wirral a week before.
The fact that they suffered three serious looking injuries during the game didn’t lessen the credit to their opponents which they fully acknowledged afterwards.
The opening quarter of the game saw the teams evenly matched, but when they had the ball Upper Eden were lively and threatening, although at that stage unable to penetrate Kendal’s tight defence.
Kendal, however, suddenly looked like taking control with two tries in the space of three minutes.
From a line-out the forwards crashed over in numbers with the identity of the scorer still not established and Glen Weightman converted,
At the same time the home side were reduced to 14 as Lee Alderson was yellow-carded.
Kendal made Upper Eden pay by scoring a second try while Upper Eden were down to 14.
Weightman hoisted a very long kick out of defence and with the help of the wind it went as far as the home line.
Under pressure the defender had to touchdown for a drop-out and Kendal ran it back strongly through Robbie Collinson and Steven Nelson for Reece Tomlinson to score. Weightman converted for a 14-0 lead.
Kendal lost their first player after 25 minutes when Danny Barker had to be replaced by Chris Park.
Five minutes before the break the home side snatched a lifeline with their opening try.
Penalised for offside Kendal were put under intense pressure and it paid-off for the home side as James Birkbeck got in for their opening try, which went unconverted.
But Kendal did add to their tally right on half-time when Weightman put over as penalty.
Kendal, however, had suffered a second injury concern as replacement Park was stretchered-off.
With no further replacement for the back division Dan Greenwood came into the pack and Alistair Thompson moved int the centre.
Upper Eden had the strong wind behind them in the second half and within nine minutes had eaten into Kendal’s 17-5 half-time lead.
It was a really well-worked try as they kept the ball well, recycling efficiently for Rupert Civil to score and Oliver Bennett added the conversion.
Bennett, who was to emerge as Upper Eden’s man of the match, pulled them closer with a penalty on 54 minutes – and it really was game on.
Kendal suffered their third injury blow on the hour when Weightman had to leave the field after a lengthy stoppage, causing more reorganisation.
Nevertheless Kendal enjoyed a good spell when they really tested the solidarity of the home defence and eventually they made the breakthrough on 65 minutes.
Nick Carlton went over for an unconverted try after Kendal had spread the ball wide.
It was pretty even for the next ten minutes and both sides had opportunities but the defensive qualities shone through.
There were five minutes of normal time left to play when Pennine Park erupted. Upper Eden finally found an opening down the left and James Bowman got over for a try which Bennett converted superbly from wide-out.
If that roar was deafening, the winning score minutes later was off the scale!
Kendal’s short re-start kick failed to travel far enough and Upper Eden had a scrum on halfway.
From it they kicked to the corner in a planned move and Bennett was there to win the race to the touchdown.
Bennett sealed his man of the match award by landing another excellent conversion from the opposite touchline.
Although Kendal tried hard in the closing minutes to salvage a score they couldn’t shift a super Upper Eden defence who held on for a thoroughly deserved victory.
The youngest club contesting this year’s County Cup (only formed in 1975) they can now look forward to a first final – and no-one is betting against them completing a hat-trick of giant-killing acts!
