Upper Eden have been involved in some desperately tight matches but not so this time when they hosted Durham City 35-15 in a Regional 2 North clash.
Durham City had the strong, prevailing wind in the first half and within minutes of the kick off the experienced pack had them in an attacking position in Eden’s 22.
The visitors showed good ball retention with backs and forward interplay to cross the Eden line for the opening try and they landed the conversion.
From the restart Durham used the wind from a penalty to again have territory in the Eden 22 and with strong forward pressure they powered over near the posts for a 14-0 lead.
Eden finally got some ball but some mishandling meant they coughed up the ball to a clinical Durham team.
The next phase of the game saw Durham pretty much take control of both territory and procession. By retaining the ball for long periods and stringing multi-phases together often in the Eden 22 they were able to secure another two tries to be ahead 28-0 within the first 25 minutes of the game.
To add to their poor start a yellow card was applied to an Eden player for a high tackle, yet this seemed to galvanise the team and with a bit more possession they started to string some passes together.
They gained territory where they were able to deliver some quick hands from Oli Bennett to Rupert Civil and his off-load released Josh Winder to cross in the corner.
Eden, still playing with 14 men, again launched a positive attack with the ball ultimately being spun out to the wing Josh Alderson beat several would be tacklers on a 40-yard run to cross and provide a half-time score of 28-10 to the visitors.
The second half started with Eden having the advantage of the wind and momentum from the back end of the first half. They were able to start brightly and string possession and territory together to be under the Durham posts in an attacking position that they should have scored from.
However failure to convert that pressure into points meant Durham survived, played their way out and up the field. The next 20 minutes saw a similar pattern of play with Durham maintaining control of the ball and Eden having to defend stoutly and relieve their line with kicks with the wind.
Eventually Durham’s control of the ball told and with some penalties conceded by Eden in defence they scored again and converted.
Eden continued to try and break out after being pinned down in their half and eventually with a long 50-20 kick got into an area where the pack worked its way forward and Jim Birkbeck was able to break away from a ruck and crash over the line for the final score.
There can be no question of Eden’s continued efforts this season but they are still trying to digest the need to be clinical in attack, like Durham were. when points are on offer. Just as important in defence is the need to limit mistakes to retain possession.
