UPTON did themselves proud in the Powergen Junior Rugby Cup third round but bowed out 17-6 at home to higher-ranked Ludlow.

Midlands Four West North top-two side Ludlow, who reached the last eight in 2003, brought a reputation for strong forwards and good half-backs.

Both teams tested each other out in the first ten minutes which gave Ian Slocombe time to settle as Upton's scrum-half following his promotion from the seconds.

However, Upton lost flanker Barry Lancett with a broken arm, causing major changes to their game plan.

Despite the disruption, Upton took the lead through a drop goal by Rob Heeley but Ludlow came storming back and worked their way towards the hosts' line.

A number of rolling mauls followed as Ludlow used blockers to shield scrum-half Gareth Edwards who squirmed over for a try.

Upton raised their game against better opposition and within ten minutes regained the lead with another Heeley drop goal.

But on 30 minutes Upton were caught napping as Edwards nipped up the blind side of a loose maul to score a second try out wide.

And number ten Mark Williams put over a good conversion to give them a 12-6 lead.

With a slight wind behind them in the second-half, Upton kept pounding away at the opposition.

They spent the majority of time in the Ludlow half with a series of rolling mauls and punts down field.

Twice Upton should have scored only for the referee to rule for a double movement and Ludlow managed to pull a maul down a metre short of the try-line without punishment.

On the hour, the visitors put the game further from Upton's reach with a try by winger David Watkins following a break by Williams.

Despite never giving up, Upton kept their large contingent of supporters hoping for more points.

Skipper Oli Jones once again put in big tackles, the front-row outshone their opposite numbers, Slocombe impressed and the backs put together good moves.

Upton return to North Midlands South One duty on Saturday with a visit to Birmingham Civil Service.

Droitwich Spa, meanwhile, lost 33-3 at fellow Midlands Three West (South) strugglers Bedworth.

Droitwich, with winger Jamie Faulkerner back in the team, applied the early pressure but Bedworth took the lead with a flowing backs move ten minutes in.

The visitors hit back immediately through the boot of skipper Matt Blackmore, their only points.

Phil Horton went close for Spa but he knocked the ball on over the try line. Spa then had another effort ruled out, this time from veteran prop Ade Spencer.

A penalty and another converted try gave Bedworth a 17-3 half-time lead.

Droitwich controlled the opening few minutes after the break but were unable to stop Bedworth scoring a further two tries and penalties for victory.

Droitwich host Earlsdon on Saturday (2.15pm).