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Garden of Eden

Trevor Hulmes
21/12/2004

WHAT a difference a season makes - last season saw the Cumbrians beaten twice by a resurgent Aldwinians.

This time round, Upper Eden are riding high in the league and have won both this season's encounters by close margins.

With both sides encouraged by home wins the previous week, early Eden pressure saw Aldwinians concede a fourth minute penalty which the hosts successfully kicked.

However, the restart saw play kept inside the Upper Eden 22 as Thompson fed Papoola to score near the posts, Bamber converting for a 7-3 lead.

It took until the 31st minute for Upper Eden to reduce the deficit with a penalty.

Right on half-time, another mistake in a ruck gave the initiative away as Upper Eden kicked another penalty for a 9-7 lead.

Two more penalties on 43 and 58 minutes extended Upper Eden's lead to eight points.

A strong fightback by Aldwinians saw them maintain pressure on the try line and, with two minutes to go. Thompson swooped on an error to score out wide.

Bamber's conversion attempt fell short though to cut the gap to three points but Upper Eden held on.

Aldwinians' next league action is on Saturday, January 8 when they host Tyldesley, kick-off 2.15pm.