UPTON turned in their best performance Midlands Three West (South) of the season to beat old rivals Southam 38-14 despite fielding a much-changed line-up from recent weeks.

Charlie Abbey made his first start at prop with Harry Miller making his debut at hooker.

There was also a start for Sean Roberts at full-back after injury to Joe Ay - res, while Sam Buck came onto the bench.

Upton started brightly using their phases to keep control of the ball despite never making any real headway and it was Southam who took the lead when their out - side-centre cut inside and made it to the line to score a converted try.

Upton came back into the game and could have scored their own try but fly-half Oli Cooke dropped the ball as it seemed certain he would put Matt Dunwell in to score.

However, the referee awarded a penalty anyway and Dan Hart kicked it to make it 7-3.

Miller then got a head injury and Rob Heeley came off the bench into Hooker. Despite Miller’s good start it was obvious when Hee - ley arrived that he added some weight to the scrum.

Upton were now on top and just before the interval they had a line-out 10 metres out and Chris Thomas took the ball cleanly and fed James Gammond at scrum- half. He sent the backs away and inside-centre Dan Keyte cut a line and scored under the posts to make it 10-7 at half-time.

Upton coaches Stu Brooks and Oli Banwell asked for more inten - sity but what they got was more like 50 per cent as their team took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Firstly Andy Ford went on a strong run from the kick-off and the ball was out wide and Martin Muleko was released to finish the try off. Hart converted to make it 17-7.

Muleko then had to leave the pitch with injury but his replace - ment Buck was soon in on the ac - tion. Terrier-like defence on half way led to a Southam fumble and Buck picked the ball up 50 metres out and raced in to score. Hart again converted.

However, some silly penalties let Southam move down the pitch and, after they too sucked in Up - ton defenders, their inside-centre found a gap and scored under the posts to reduce the arrears.

Upton, however, used their dom - inance in the forwards to put the game to bed.

Keyte came storming through off a back row move and scored his second try and Upton’s fourth for the bonus point.

Upton ran the ball from all an - gles and, from another five-metre scrum, Keyte once again ran a line from captain and number eight Max Macfarlane to get his hat-trick score which Hart con - verted for his sixth kick of the day and a 100 per cent record.

Southam tried in vain to get a consolation try but Upton’s de - fence was resolute.