The cold and low sun produced more than the usual handling errors,  but the pitch held up well and both West and Upper Eden served up an entertaining game.

Academy hooker Hayden Hodgson started a league game for the first time. He and  scrum half Joe Cholmondeley able to celebrate their invitations to join the North Under 18 assessment day later this month.

Both more than played their part in the first win of 2026 with Hodgy scoring his first league try and Chummers’ quick flat pass creating space for his backs.

West began the game with some vigour  with Isaac Robinson, standing in at No8 for injured skipper Chris Atkins,  breaking into the 22. Upper Eden were penalised in front of the posts but West opted for the scrum and it paid off as space was made for Jobe Roxby to glide over (above).

He added the conversion off the post. By his own standards he went on to have a patchy afternoon with his usually impeccable boot – lack of practice because of the weather taking the blame.

West continued to press only for  Upper Eden to level the scores with their first attack after 12 minutes. It came after poor West handling on the half-way was seized on by the visiting backs with some swift and slick handling sending in centre Dan Todd.

The visitors went ahead in similar fashion on the half-hour mark after soaking up West pressure. This time it was right winger Sam Edgar  who found space with   several missed tackles making his route to the posts a lot easier -  full backOli Bennett again adding the extras.

Undaunted,  West came back with Upper Eden defending on their line. They were eventually undone when Hodgson timed his pass to send prop Adam Hutchinson sprinting over from just inside the 22(above).

Roxby was wide with the conversion,  however he was back on the scoresheet just before the break with Elliott Reed making the ground to open up the space for the fly -half to go over.  His conversion  attempt went wide,  but the score allowed West to go into the break 17-14 to the good.

The lead didn’t last long as missed tackles  after the restart again cost West dear. Left winger Matt Williamson began the move in his own half with Dan Todd getting his second try of the afternoon as he cut in from the wing to set up a straightforward conversion.

With their  scrum dominant,  West came back and consistent pressure eventually told when Roxby sent a long pass out to  Sam Knight.  The right winger stepped inside the defence only to be stopped five metres out, However, the forwards were in support with Hodgson taking his chance from close range. Roxby’s conversion hit the post but his side were back in the lead  by just one point with 25 minutes still to play.

Bennett had the chance to restore Upper Eden’s lead only for his 30 metre penalty was well wide,   and the decisive score finally came from West replacement scrum half Matty Bagg, with less than ten minutes on the clock. Concerted pressure in the visiting 22 eventually creating space for winger Lewis Scott who was able to touchdown in the corner only to be judged to have had a foot in  touch.

The line-outs had been a lottery all afternoon,  but this important one was won by West with Isaac Robinson almost forcing his way over. The support was there and, as West hammered the line ,Baggs was sharp in spotting a gap to dive over.  Roxby  was  given his easiest kick of the afternoon and his kick finally gave West some breathing space with an eight point lead.

Upper Eden weren’t finished and they had one last attempt to get what would have been two deserved bonus points.

They forced West into their best defensive set of the afternoon and the chance for a fourth try was eventually lost with a knock on five metres from the line.

West worked their way out of danger  -forcing a penalty just inside the Upper Eden half. This time the  scrum option wasn’t taken with Roxby slotting his hardest kick of the afternoon to end the scoring.

Next week it’s the longest trip of the season, weather again permitting, to take on second bottom Aspatria who are fighting to avoid finishing in the two relegation play-off places.

West: Matt Siddle, Sam Knight, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll, Lewis Scott, Jobe Roxby, Joe Cholmondeley, Andrew Rollins, Hayden Hodgson, Adam Hutchinson, Elliott Reed, Nick Bennions, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Charlie Kay, Isaac Robinson.

Reps (all used): Matty Baggs, Ryan O’Keefe, Jonny Wray.

Tries: Roxby (2), Hutchinson, Hodgson, Baggs.

Cons: Roxby (2)

Pen: Roxby

Upper Eden: Oli Bennett, Sam Edgar, Josh Slderson, Dan Todd, Matt Willamson, Neldus Kruger, Aiden Muller, Jordan Newitt, Matt Sanderson, James Birkbeck, Isaac Dent, Rob Dent, Fin Rose, Harley Sowerby, Dave Birkbeck.

Reps (all used): George Wilson, Iain Sanderson, Lec Mouton.

Tries: Todd (2), Edgar.

Cons: Bennett (3)

Referee: Alistair Sweetin (Durham).