Upper Eden 17 Blackburn 50

BLACKBURN ran in half a century of points to keep their title hopes alive and well at The Graveyard.

And it promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the North Lancs/Cumbria campaign, with ‘Burn four points in front of title rivals Leigh after this convincing win in Kirkby Stephen.

Blackburn bossed the first half, and they needed just four minutes to forge ahead, Craig Aikman feeding Leon Fifield who scored in the corner.

Shortly afterwards, ‘Burn landed another try, on this occasion Tony Thoma crashing over the line after Sam Parkinson had provided the ammunition.

The scoreboard kept spinning, and when Dom Hogan broke forward, he supplied Rick Maudsley who went over and Sam Morgan added the extras.

Blackburn’s fourth try arrived just before half time, Nathan Sewell getting on the scoresheet, although just before the break the home side scored their first try, reducing the deficit to 5-24.

However, Blackburn started the second period as they began the first – with a try.

Jordan Pearson and Nick King had put Upper Eden on the back foot, and then Hogan broke through the last defence to score under the posts with Morgan converting.

The home side could not cope with ‘Burn’s attacking power and minutes later Fifield scored his second try of the contest, powering past two defenders to score in the corner.

Almost from the re-start, Blackburn scored again.

Craig Aikman began the move from the ten metre line, and when he stepped inside he just had enough in reserve to get him over the try line.

Morgan kicked the conversion to extend their lead to 5-43.

Upper Eden kept battling, though, and although they replied with a converted try any hope of finding a way back into the contest had disappeared.

Indeed, it was Blackburn who scored their final try and conversion with ten minutes left as Pearson made his way over from a five metre scrum. Alex Evans was sin binned late on and the numerical pressure told as the Cumbrians landed their third try.

However, it would prove only a consolation score as Blackburn also secured a bonus point win in their hunt for the title.

Blackburn stage their final home game of the season against Whitehaven on Saturday before trips to Aldwinians (April 11) and Wigan (April 18).