A penalty three minutes from the end gave Upper Eden a 34-31 win at Carlisle in an absorbing Cumbria County Cup-tie.
Carlisle had never been in front but had twice fought back to draw level at 24-24 and 31-31, the second time with just four minutes left.
It gave the city side the hope they could steal the win but instead it was Upper Eden who went down the other end and when they were awarded a penalty Oliver Bennett made no mistake to win the tie.
Upper Eden, the Counties 1 Cumbria champions from 2023 were taking on Carlisle, champions from 2024 – and the two were well-matched as the score would indicate.
The visitors had gone in front on 21 minutes with a penalty from Bennett and increased that lead seven minutes later with a try by Rob Dent converted by Bennett.
Carlisle reduced the lead to just three points on 32 minutes when Jake Whittaker went over for a try which Vince Lung converted.
However, three minutes before the break Upper Eden crossed again through Fin Rose with Bennett adding the extras for a 17-7 interval lead.
That was quickly increased three minutes into the second half with another Upper Eden try, this time from Richard Addison and again converted by Bennett. .
But that sparked a Carlisle recovery and by the 67th minute they were level. Nathan Greenwood (46) and Jason Israel (58) scored tries, both converted by Lung who then added a penalty to pull them all square.
Back came Upper Eden with a try by Rupert Civil on 69 minutes, converted by Bennett and it looked as though they would manage the game over the closing stages.
Carlisle, though were not done and on 75 minutes Tom Graham got over the Eden line and Lung’s conversion drew the hosts level again.
There was heartbreak to come, though, for the battling hosts when Bennett landed the late penalty to win it for Upper Eden.
As well as being the last two Counties 1 Cumbria champions Upper Eden and Carlisle have also been the last two beaten County Cup finalists.
