UPTON RFC opened up their 2002 account in similar fashion to the way they closed 2001 with a win.

UPTON 1st XV 16pts, BISHOPS CASTLE 1st XV 13pts

After a five-week break from league and friendly matches due to Christmas activities and weather conditions, it was always going to take time for the team to get synchronized again. Bishops Castle games are often very close affairs with their strong forward based tactics, and this match was no different.

Upton drove for the line first, but were repelled. The forwards were well matched but Upton's three quarters were on form and were causing Bishops Castle a lot of problems. After fifteen minutes Bishops Castle could hold out no longer and succumbed to a penalty which skipper Rob Heeley converted for Upton to take the lead, 3-0.

From the re-start, Upton were on the attack again using their line-out possession to good advantage. With pinpoint accuracy from hooker Paul Pickering and driving runs from props Whiteman and Hill, Upton set up a launch pad for the backs where Hugh Williams and Brad Raymond once again proved a real handful for the opposition. Heeley kicked another penalty after 25 minutes to make it 6-0.

Soon after this, Upton suffered a double blow as both centres had to leave the field for treatment to facial injuries caused when they collided during an attack close to the Castle's posts. Raymond soon returned to the fray but Williams needed to go to hospital. John Rose came on for Williams, but this change of personnel did not stop Upton from pressing on again and soon Heeley converted a third penalty to give a half time score of 9-0.

Refreshed by the half time rest and playing with the slope and increasing wind, Bishops Castle restarted the match with a relish and pinned Upton back in their half. Price soon converted two penalties to bring the score to 9-6.

Upton drew deep breath and weathered the storm with sniping runs from scrum-half Matt Mitchell and clever linking play and kicks by Mark Tether and Heeley, but they were further disrupted when flanker Ben Penson had to be replaced by Oli Jones.

On 60 minutes, Upton increased their lead when, from a line-out on the left side of mid-field, the ball was worked along the threes to right wing Nigel Watson. Brad Raymond recycled the ball and went on a winding cross-field run to link up with centre Heeley who, with quick hands passed on to left wing Neil Caldwell on the half way. Caldwell rounded his opposite number and outpaced the covering defence to dive in for a try that Heeley converted. The hosts now led 16-6.

Any thoughts that Bishops Castle would now give up and let Upton win easily were quickly dispelled as they changed tactics by keeping the ball tight and in a series of driving mauls drove the ball close to Upton's line. Upton held out for a time but eventually Castle scrum-half Jones dived over from a five metre scrum to score a converted try leaving the score very close at 16-13.

Upton hung on for the last ten minutes to set up their fifth league win in a row and to record two league points which keep them up with the leading group.

Upton are due to play away to Warley tomorrow (Saturday) in the re-scheduled league match. In the next eight weeks Upton have four matches against higher placed teams, but with spirits and confidence high they aim for more success.