UPPER Eden had victory taken from their grasp in a 50-minute second-half of their Cumbria/N. Lancs league game at Rossendale on Saturday.

It was a game dominated by defences on a spongy pitch, but the Eden players were bitterly disappointed after more than matching their opponents.

Rick Heron kicked Eden into a first half lead with a well-judged penalty after solid approach play by his forwards. Rossendale then missed two kickable penalties before Eden suffered their first refereeing blow of the game - a disallowed touch down by Colin Wolstenholme when the referee adjudged that the ball was held up!

The second half was also very tight with defences on top. Rick Heron narrowly missed with a penalty while, at the other end, only determined Eden tackling saved the day. Heron then dropped a goal to increase Eden's lead and Jimmy Thompson almost pulled off a chip and kick try, but Rossendale knocked on with the try line in sight and the game was still very much in the balance as normal time became time added on by the referee.

Duncan Rose was lost to a hamstring strain and, after almost ten extra minutes, Rossendale were awarded a throw-in despite their man being tackled into touch. They spun the ball across the pitch and their left winger snatched victory with a touch down in the corner, which went unconverted.