Easter Saturday saw a Carnforth squad of 21 players travel to Kirkby Stephen to face our greatest allies Upper Eden - the game is also known as the John Marsden Memorial Shield in memory of a founder member of the Carnforth club as well as respected referee in the Cumbria leagues.
Last seasons outing was billed as Carnforths last game but such was the interest both teams decided to keep this fixture going - the weather was excellent (for the supporters) and with the Kirkby Stephen beer festival in attendance a decent crowd once again appeared on the sidelines.
Carnforth won this game last year by 59 - 12 and knew that the Eden side would be a different outfit - this is what with a full splattering of youth, quick runners, strong tackling and a couple of older heads in their ranks also.
Eden and Carnforth go back a long way in the two clubs history and the great friendship on and off the pitch is always obvious and the respect is huge between the two clubs.
Carnforth had a strong squad but the Eden lads had just too much at times. Carnforth enjoyed the early spell of possession as well as an excellent 25 minutes in the second half when a possible come back looked on the cards. Gavin Barton stepped back into a Carnforth shirt - green and black is his best colour !! - Shane Weed brought over 4 excellent lads from Kirkby Lonsdale to play - Max Wylder, Jacob Young, Mike Hardy and Sam Tallon who all performed superbly. Dan Blenkharn was another who performed well - despite playing for his new club Vale 4ths
the previous day. Carnforth used the squad wisely with injuries and the hot weather takings its toll. Kevin Hardy linked well with Barton at half back with Jack Edmondson and Sam Tomlinson in the centres both being well marshalled by the Eden defence.
The hosts took the lead with two quickly taken tries, both converted- 14 - 0 after 30 minutes. Sam Edmondson and Phil Metcalfe both made breaks as did Mike Hardy from full back, Brad Wheatman made some strong runs from the back row as Carnforth looked to get back into the game.
10 minutes into the second half and the breakthrough came - Sam Edmondson and Tomlinson linked up, Jamie Hardy made sure he took his opposite man into touch 5 metres out, the resulting line out saw Barton burst through for a try which he also converted via a drop goal.
The visitors were now in the ascendancy and Barton, Weed and Blenkharn all made the breaks but once the ball came clear it was Eden who broke again for a third try.
Carnforth hit back and enjoyed time in the Eden 22 , Bartons quick penalty saw Wheatman power over the try line with Kevin Hardy slotting a fine conversion - 5 points the deficit - 15 to play. A nasty moment in the game saw one of the excellent Eden players taken to Lancaster Hospital with a bad hand injury - we hope all is ok with the injury and he is back playing soon enough.
Following the break it was Eden who freshened the game with their replacements and two late tries took the sting out of Carnforth for a 31 - 14 victory. The presentation was made by Stuart Whitham and the shield was handed over to Eden skipper Martyn Henderson for this year - we aim to be back next year to refill our trophy cabinet.
Carnforth players and supporters - thanks to those who turned out at Eden and hope you all had a great day.
Upper Eden - once again thanks for the hospitality shown to us and thanks for the game.
M Hardy, P Metcalfe, J Edmondson, S Tomlinson, S Edmondson, K Hardy, G Barton, J Waterhouse, S Hodgson, C Whaley, S Weed, M Wylder, B Wheatman, G Rich, D Blenkharn
subs - J Greenland, J Hardy, S Tallon, J Young, A Albiston, R Whittaker