UPTON Rugby Club head coach Stuart Brooks has left Old Street with immediate effect after relegation was confirmed from Midlands Three West (South).

A front row crisis has forced Upton to offer their last two opponents – Bedworth and Woodrush – fixtures with uncontested scrums.

Woodrush accepted an offer to play, while Bedworth declined and the matches have been recorded as walkovers in the league standings.

Upton are bottom off the table with one league match remaining against Cheltenham North on April 11.

First team manager and treasurer Rob Heeley said: “Upton’s senior section is going through a tough time with injuries and a lack of player availability.

“This has led to both the first XV and second XV being relegated from their respective leagues and the inability to field teams for recent fixtures.

“Our head coach Stuart Brooks has left his role with immediate effect and for the last few remaining weeks senior players will be responsible for training and organisation of match day squads.

“This is a difficult time for Upton but one which we will get through, and become stronger and better for, with help and support.

“Action is happening behind the scenes. Upton has been an enjoyable place to play rugby for over 30 years and we intend it to return to our core values.”

Club stalwart Nigel Banwell thanked Brooks for his efforts during two years at the helm and said coaching would be done in-house next season.

The new coaching structure will be finalised over the summer.

Banwell said: “We will need to have a re-think about our coaching structure and it’s likely we will have in-house coaching with Rob Heeley, Oliver Banwell and former captain David Gower among those involved.

“All clubs go through tough times like this – the seconds have had a poor season and they will be relegated.

“We are hoping that will be able to get out a team for our last game of the season.”

Banwell added: “We have had a horrendous run of injuries, particularly to our front row with six players injured and that’s not due to bad scrummaging but unfortunate play.

“The last came a few weeks ago when we persuaded one of our players to play for the first time in two-and-a-half years. But he was injured from the kick-off when he jumped up to claim the restart and was taken out, suffering two broken ribs.”