Upper Eden have produced a remarkable effort to cement their place in Regional 2 North next season.
They have now won six of their last seven games to climb to eighth in a very competitive League.
Latest victory was a 22-10 home success against Stockton in a game billed as “must win” by both teams ahead of kick-off.
Upper Eden had lost narrowly in the game at Stockton and were expecting a tough test against a side lying next to bottom and fighting for their lives.
Eden started strongly from the kick-off and drove into the visitors 22 where they dominated the first ten minutes of the game with their forwards controlling the scrum and ruck area.
The versatile Dave Birkbeck at number eight carried well, punching holes in the Stockton back-line giving Eden’s backs a platform to attack.
On the 12th minute Matthew Brass kicked through but the clearance from Stockton was poor and Eden had a line-out deep in the visitors’ 22.
Eden secured the ball and set-up a driving maul for hooker Tom Mooney to crash over and scored an opening unconverted try.
Eden continued to exert pressure and had the visitors on the back-foot with sniping runs by Ollie Rose and Josh Winder which eventually resulted in Rob Dent being stripped of the ball as he was about to crash over.
From that missed opportunity Eden had defending to do as Stckton hit back. Their backs opened-up Eden’s defence and Sam Birbeck thwarted the attack with a deliberate knock-on which saw him yellow-carded.
Stockton seized the initiative and took advantage of Eden’s exposed back-line to crash over out wide and the subsequent conversion was good for a 7-5 lead.
The score-line was against the run of play but Eden were soon back in Stockton’s 22 where they were awarded a penalty for a high tackle.
Bennett, who had hit the post with his earlier conversion attempt, stroked over the penalty and Eden led by a point.
From the re-start Eden again took control with Mattie Sanderson punching holes in the Stockton defence with good support from Jed Brewis and Trav Simpson.
But they failed to capitalise on this pressure as they were turned over by Stockton and at half-time it was still just 8-7.
On the re-start Eden were immediately camped on Stockton’s line but were held up as they went for the try.
From the drop-out Stockton came back into the game strongly with their outstanding openside flanker involved in every move.
The visitors’ forwards had Eden under pressure in loose play and after several phases were camped on the home side’s try-line.
It took some excellent defence by Eden to make sure their best attempt was held-up, a decision which the Stockton flanker disagreed with and was instantly shown the yellow card for abusive language.
The next 15 minutes saw the game ebb and flow with both teams trying to find a way through the respective defences but they were thwarted by some excellent defending.
After 55 minutes Eden were on the attack and Oli Rose put in a delightful little chip through to winger Sam Edgar who kept a cool head to hack on and he won the footrace to score Eden’s second try. Bennett converted from out wide or a 15-7 lead.
Stockton came back strongly with powerful running from their abrasive backline who had Eden stretched on
several occasions. Only excellent defence on their own line prevented Stockton getting back into the game.
One place where Eden were getting caught was the ruck area and they were penalised in the 65th minute for holding on at the breakdown. Stockton kicked the
The game became very intense in the final ten minutes with both teams desperate for the win.
Eden’s forwards, however, had started to take control of the game with John Blue making some excellent runs supported by his pack.
From an ensuing scrum Eden kicked long and were camped on Stocktons 22. From a line-out the Stockton scrum half was slow at clearing the ball which saw Eden’s outstanding prop Sanderson charge the kick down before collecting the ball to crash over under the posts. Bennett converted.
Feeling the game was won Eden switched off and Stockton were awarded a couple of penalties which they chose not to kick but run and only excellent defensive efforts by Eden’s forwards thwarted several possible try scoring opportunities by the visitors.
This was an all-round, outstanding performance by this young Eden squad of players and with two games left, at Morpeth and home to Consett they will be looking to finish strongly and cement their position in the league.
Several players could have won the Man of the Match but young Oli Rose was given the accolade for his all-round performance.
The Match was kindly sponsored by Jason Winder (J.S Winder Ltd).
Eden Boars were in action also at home to a strong Stockton Saracens team who currently sit second in the north-east Candy Division 2 South league.
The young Boards squad was not overawed and raised their game to beat the high-flying visitors 46-5.
This puts Eden Boars into 7th position in a very competitive league and they will travel on Saturday with the first team to play Morpeth seconds.
