HAVING beaten Kirkby Lonsdale 18-0 in their home Cumbria/Lancs league fixture, Upper Eden had every reason to expect something from the return game at Underley Park on Saturday. But the harsh reality was a 23-3 defeat after a disappointing team performance.

Upper Eden were without first choice centres Phil Sinclair (injured) and Duncan Rose, who is in New Zealand for the next month. However, absent regulars were little excuse for a generally anonymous display in which only Colin Wolstenholme and full-back Phil Sinclair, who put in some good runs and some fine line-kicking, emerged with any pride.

Kirkby Lonsdale started brightly and their improving young team always kept a firm grip on the game. They went into a deserved early lead with a penalty kick and their first try followed when a missed kick for touch was caught by Ian Gowing. The ball was fumbled from the resulting ruck, giving Kirkby Lonsdale a simple touch down. Fortunately for Upper Eden, the conversion attempt was missed.

Upper Eden were in complete disarray, with little cohesion in their attacking play. Under pressure, they conceded a string of penalties as they were denied possession for long spells and, despite some desperate covering tackles, the inevitable second try was scored under the posts, was then converted and left them 15-0 adrift.

Finally, Upper Eden began to stir and some linking play got them into the Kirkby Lonsdale half where good pressure brought Rick Heron a successful penalty. But even at this stage, Upper Eden rarely threatened the Kirkby Lonsdale line and the home side extended their lead with another penalty just before half-time.

Upper Eden were further hampered when No 8 Gowing bruised a knee and the second half became a damage limitation exercise as Kirkby Lonsdale penned the Upper Eden players in their own half for lengthy periods. The pattern of play was one of Upper Eden gaining possession, running the ball around the fringes but then losing the it through knock-ons or errors of their own making.

Only last ditch tackling kept Kirkby at bay but they still added one last try in a corner after driving Upper Eden off their own ball. Upper Eden left the pitch well beaten and grateful that the scoreline was just about respectable. The team and their supporters are now looking for a better performance and result at Pennine Park on Saturday, when Blackpool are the visitors.