Its a perfect 10 for Blackburn BLACKBURN 28 UPPER EDEN 8

5:42pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

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BLACKBURN made it a perfect ten out of ten on home this season with another victory at Ramsgreave Drive.

But the North Lancs/Cumbria champions were made to graft for the win by a spirited Upper Eden side who worked hard to deny the home side any momentum.

On yet another blustery day and in front of a healthy crowd, the visitors were first to play with the wind at their backs. Upper Eden worked hard with the ball in hand but lacked any real penetration to break down a well organised home defence.

In contrast, Blackburn looked to keep the ball in hand and were rewarded with the first try of the afternoon after a forward drive allowed the pack to pile over for a try by McCarthy. The visitors were rewarded for their teritorial dominance with a penalty by Allinson but Burn were pleased to be 5-3 in front at half time.

The second half allowed Burn to come more into their attacking game and quickly began to get on top. After an Evans penalty it was the pack again to the fore for a pushover try from the scrum. Luke Copping controlled the ball well and Evans added a conversion for a 15-3 lead. This soon became 20-3 when winger Lambert cruised over for a third try. The home side visibly relaxed but soon added another Evans penalty and a fourth try after some further strong driving by the pack.

Eden had the last laugh with a superb try that allowed their winger to cross over in the corner with the last move of the game.

Blackburn have now won all but one of their 19 matches and end a hugely successful league campaign at Fleetwood on Saturday. Only a 12-12 draw at De la Salle last month denied them the chance of going to the Fylde Coast side looking for a 100 per cent record.

Team Manager Richard Crayston was happy enough with the performance.

He said: "It was difficult to get up for the game as it was a dead rubber in effect for both teams. We did enough without really pushing ourselves and despite a gallant effort from Upper Eden it was a comfortable win."

BLACKBURN: McCarthy, Calcutt, Reay, Miller, Beeston, Doolan, Jarrold, Copping, Bullen, Radice, Evans, Sutcliffe, Maudsley, Lambert, Barnes, Millea, Parkinson, Elston