UPTON 3, EDWARDIANS 21

Upton entertained top-of-the-table Edwardians on Saturday.

Despite heavy overnight rain the pitch was in perfect condition although after this match Upton may have wished for floods to help defend their perfect home record.

Upton went on the attack from the first whistle and showed their intent to use their powerful back line.

Upton worked the ball back from a maul and skipper Rob Heeley maintained his drop-kicking tradition with a perfectly struck goal.

Edwardians then woke up from their journey and their well drilled and organized pack started to dictate proceedings as is so often the case when a team drops down a league after many years experience in a higher division.

Despite the dominance of the Edwardians pack and presenting good ball for their backs, Upton's three-quarters were more than a match with their defensive tackling with Hugh Williams and Brad Raymond excelling.

Realising that they were not going to get through the tackles, Edwardians decided to kick over the top of the advancing defence and this tactic led to their first try when right winger Bell just beat the cover to score a converted try.

Edwardians scored again soon after from a similar kick ahead only this time the ball deflected of the post and into the hands of left wing Miller who had an easy task to score another converted try under the posts.

The remainder of the match was played mostly in Edwardian territory with Upton's Williams and Raymond to the fore in attack but Edwardians used their experienced pack to soak up pressure and wait for the break down.

One rare Edwardian excursion into Upton's territory in the second half came from lineout following a penalty. Edwardians forwards peeled from the lineout and drove upfield with a series of short 'pop' passes which resulted with No. 8 O'Reilly scoring another converted try under the posts.

Upton's spirit remained high as they continued to attack at various angles and managed to keep their supporters hanging on in expectation rather than rushing to watch the international but unfortunately the defences could not be breached.

Upton next visit Redditch ever hopeful that league success must be due soon.