It was also a good day for the Stags in Counties 2 as they travelled to Stockton to beat the Saracens 21-24 - earning a bonus point with tries from Jack Angus, Jack Mulcahy, Raph McNicholas and Lewis McLeod.
At Brinkburn both sides showed some superb defence as they protected their line against the opposition and the blustery gusts.
The gale was blowing down the length of the pitch and Upper Eden had the benefit in the first half. They went into an early lead with a straightforward penalty kick from centre Harley Sowerby, but West came back with some determined forward play with Upper Eden conceding penalties at the breakdown.
Jobe Roxby began the game on the bench. He made an early appearance as winger Max Tennant limped off for some treatment -despite Roxby’s presence West opting for scrums or kicks to the corner instead of shots at goal.
It paid off when Will Hilditch almost got over as West benefitted from a “free-go” from another Upper Eden infringement. When play was brought back for the penalty in front of the posts West opted for a scrum. It proved to be the right choice as Matt Siddle fed Ollie Connoly who was able to force his way over the line.
Roxby’s conversion attempt into the wind was short and wide, but with more than 20 minutes played the 5-3 lead was very welcome.
Connolly then broke from his own half - just failing to chase down his grubber kick. Then winger Sam Knight almost jinked his way over as referee was indicating another penalty offence by the visitors. Once again West opted for a scrum in front of the posts, but Upper Eden were able to clear the danger.
The team from Kirkby Stephen then mounted pressure of their own with a long kick downfield forcing Roxby to kick for touch from his own line. Upper Eden took the line-out just inside the 22 - calling their backs into helping with the resulting driving maul only for tremendous work from the West forwards kept them out.
However, Upper Eden were not to be denied and they got their try just before the break - scrum half Richard Addison going over from close range with the conversion taking the score to 5-10.
There was time for another West attack with skipper Chris Atkins eager for his side to go into the break with a morale boosting lead. He almost managed it himself as the forwards battered the visiting line, only to be held up as he forced his way over in the last play of the half.
With the elements at their backs West did soon regain the lead. Max Tennant had returned to the fray and, when his run was stopped inside the Upper Eden 22, the defenders were penalised for going off their feet. This time Roxby was asked to add the points and he did so again with a 40 metre penalt, then another from 30 metres to give his side a 14-10 lead. His run ending temporarily with a yellow card for a deliberate knock- on.
However, with the West forwards playing very sensible rugby, and with Ryan O’Keefe providing excellent line-out ball, West still looked the most likely to build on their lead.
And so it proved as West attacked in the Upper Eden 22 with Tennant in a little bit of space on the left wing. He was quick to accept the opportunity - sidestepping the defence to go over in the corner with Siddle’s conversion attempt just wide.
With West still down to 14 men Upper Eden fought their way back into the gale. They finally finished off their pressure with No 8. Andy Major forcing his way over to the right of the posts – the conversion attempt skewing across the front of the posts .
The score was 19-15 as Roxby returned. Unfortunately, at the same time Peter Youll was forced to leave the field with a back injury on his 200th first team appearance. Youll rarely gets injured , but he did have had the consolation of knowing the tackle which caused the injury resulted in another penalty for his side.
Roxby did have the chance to extend his side’s lead with a penalty from just inside the visiting half, which was just wide, before Upper Eden regained their lead.
There appeared to be no danger for West as play broke down on the half-way. However centre Josh Alderson was able to take a pop-pass and race through a gap in the West defence to go in under the posts to take the score to 19-22 with 15 minutes left to play.
With Man of the Match Elliot Reed leading the way, West’s response was to set up camp in the Upper Eden 22. Stern defence kept the West forwards out. Something had to give and it came when the ball was moved right after West had enjoyed a long penalty advantage.
It looked like Roxby and Knight were running out of space on the touchline, but Roxby was able to cut inside to give his forwards enough space to collect and force their way to the line. Aidan Jackson-Smith was in the thick of and able to burst over with the conversion taking the score to 26-22.
West had another chance to add to that score that after Roxby’s grubber kick found touch just inside the corner flag. Upper Eden cleared that danger and, as they worked their way up the right touchline as the clock went into the red, skipper Addison decided to call it a day by punting the ball into touc. It seemed a touch premature bit it did provide 36 players, a referee and two touch judges some well-deserved respite from the storm.
The win keeps West in third place with a visit to Consett this week. Kick off 2.15.
West: Will Hilditch, Sam Knight, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll, Max Tennant, Matt Diddle, Matt Baggs, Liam Pennick, Hayden Hodgson, Andrew Rollins, Elliot Reed, Ryan O’Keefe, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins (capt).
Reps (all used): Jacob Wood, Charlie Kay, Jobe Roxby.
Tries: Connolly, Tennant, Jackson-Smith
Con: Roxby
Pens: Roxby (3)
Yellow: Roxby.
Upper Eden: Matt Brass, George Edgar, Josh Alderson, Harley Sowerby, James Addison, Dan Treece, Richard Addison, Matt Sanderson, Tom Mooney, James Birkbeck, Isaac Dent, Travis Simpson, Fin Tose, Will Birkbeck, Andy Major.
Reps (all used): Joel Rdmond, Jordan Newitt, Rupert Civil.
Tries: Addison, Major, Alderson.
Cons: Sowerby (2)
Pen: Sowerby
Referee: Shaun Cox (Durham)