UPPER Eden had victory almost within their grasp on Saturday, going into the closing stages of the match with a 15-5 lead before conceding three penalties in ten minutes and then enduring the pain of two of them being advanced for talking back to the referee.

The result was nine points lost and a nail-biting finish during which Trafford got another penalty, this time for an alleged high tackle, that secured victory.

Eden only had themselves to blame because, after shaking off the rust from being out of action for several weeks, they had gradually gained control of the play and deservedly built up their second-half lead.

The early play had been very disjointed with lots of errors on both sides. Eden were unable to win lineout ball, even their own, and Trafford took the lead with a maul from a five-metre lineout - a try that they could not convert. Eden replied through Phil Sinclair who was fed by full back Andy Harker only 25 yards short of the line. That conversion was also missed but Rick Heron was on target with a penalty to give his side a half-time lead and then Sizwe Zondo made an inerception and raced over the line. Heron added the conversion and Eden looked set fair for a good away win before their own inconsistency let them down.

Even then, they produced a series of driving mauls at the end which should have brought points but Trafford got away with pulling them down and calls for a penalty try were dismissed.

It really was a defeat snatched from the jaws of victory and the only positive Eden could take home with them was the quality of their tackling, which never faltered throughout.

The Upper Eden Boars lost 11-17 to BAE Barrow A' in a close encounter that was level at 10-10 with only minutes remaining. But a muddle over identity on a muddy pitch resulted in an unwarranted tap penalty from which BAE scored the winning try in a game sponsored by Lakeland Commercials.

This weekend sees Rossendale travel to Pennine Park while the Boars are in action at Garstang.