A BEAUTIFUL sunny afternoon marked the start of Upton's North Midlands One League campaign, but it didn't last.

LEDBURY 1ST XV 23pts, UPTON-UPON-SEVERN 1ST XV 6pts

The 'black and white's' found the clouds soon gathered over a team uninspired for a tough local derby.

Upton lacked the killer instinct, with weak areas quickly exposed as Ledbury built a convincing lead, never really looking as though they would ever lose.

The visitors, finding no clear cohesion between forward and backs, were left sadly exposed losing possession time and time again. Ledbury capitalised, foraging for the ball, and taking every opportunity to then move it wide.

New Upton captain, Rob Heeley sought to raise the Upton standard from out of the doldrums, but the team failed to respond in all areas. He scored the points with two converted penalties, but it simply wasn't enough.

It's back to the drawing board for an Upton team uneasy with itself - full of potential but lacking in confidence, fitness and the will to win. Early days, but time will tell if Upton's finest has what it takes for the season ahead.