STILL SMARTING from an 18-0 defeat earlier in the season, Kirkby Lonsdale took revenge when they entertained Upper Eden in a Cumbria/Lancs league fixture, at Underley Park, and won 33-7.
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 which Mallaband converted and their first try quickly followed. After a missed kick for touch the ball was fumbled from the resulting ruck, and ran loose for Barton to pounce on and score a simple, unconverted, try.
Kirkby spread the game with 15-man rugby and Upper Eden were in complete disarray, with little cohesion in their attacking play.
Upper Eden were denied possession for long spells, however, and the inevitable second try was scored when a good running move put Lutteral over, Mallaband converting from under the posts, to make it 15-0 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, Kirkby Lonsdale were in control and, from a holding offence, Mallaband extended their lead with a penalty just before half-time.
Upper Eden were further hampered when No8 Ian Gowing bruised a knee and the second half became a damage limitation exercise as Kirkby penned them in their own half for lengthy periods.
Only last-ditch tackling kept Kirkby at bay, but they still added one last try with a break down the blind side by Storey. The ball was quickly transferred to Groves for a run, twist, and a very good prop-forward's try in the corner.
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