Upper Eden rounded off their first season in Regional 2 North with a clear cut 46-5 home win over Consett.
It was an excellent performance from the Pennine Park men who rounded off the season with this convincing victory against mid table opponents.
The final league table saw Eden in a credible 9th place in their first season at this level which was a fantastic effort from all the players and coaches, as well as the supporters, sponsors and all others involved at the club.
On a dry but very windy afternoon Eden opted to play with the elements in the first half and by the interval had eased into a 29-5 lead.
They started strongly from the kick-off and took play into the visitors 22 where they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. They chose the scrum option and Dave Birkbeck broke from the back of the scrum before feeding Ollie Rose and he sent Sam Edgar out wide over to register the first try of the game.
Consett kicked deep from the re-start and it was gathered by Josh Winder who made ground, well supported by Will Birkbeck who fed Edgar to score his second try which was converted by Olliver Bennett.
On 11 minutes John Blue replaced Fin Rose but Issac Dent received a yellow card for his involvement in an off-the-ball incident and the referee spoke with both captains.
Consett were awarded a penalty for offside and were exerting some pressure on the home side, when Bennet made a big clearance kick. Consett returned the ball effectively and went in for an unconverted try.
From an attacking scrum, Ollie Rose broke and neatly fed Dan Todd who put a deft kick in behind the visitors defence for Al Barr to touchdown for the home side’s third try.
The Pennine Park men were quick to launch follow-up attacks and were awarded a series of scrums in the opposition 22. Blue cut a fine line from broken play to cross for the bonus point try, converted by Bennett.
From the re-start Ollie Rose put a neat kick into the opposition 22. Will Birkbeck received the ball from the ensuing line-out to crash over and Bennett’s conversion was the last scoring act of the half.
Consett re-started with the strong wind at their as, Eden rang the changes with the introduction of Tom Mooney and Jed Brewis.
From an Eden scrum the influential Ollie Rose broke to score to increase the home lead and Eden continued to dominate the set scrums with brothers Issac and Rob Dent both effective at the line-out.
Finn Rose gathered the ball from the kick-off and made good ground only for the ball to go loose. The home side regained possession and took play deep into the visitor’s half where Todd chipped the ball through the defenders for Bennet to touch down.
The visitors tried to bring their bigger forwards into the game, but the home side’s defence was effective and efficient and much fitter.
A 50/22 gave Consett some momentum but the home team held the ball up from the line-out and following several skirmishes the Consett prop received a yellow card on 73 minutes.
From a series of short breaks Finn Rose made a barnstorming run to cross for Eden’s final try which was converted by Bennett.
In a game which produced several candidates the man of the match award went to Al Barr.
Eden Boars were in action also at home to Consett 2 team in Candy Division 2 South, and they Boars proved too strong for the opposition, running-out winners 31-14.
Try scorers were Kyle Glasson (2) Todd Ingram, Jake Edgar, Rueben English, with three.
The Matches were kindly sponsored by Johnstone’s Garage and WE Jameson and Son.
