ANOTHER large band of loyal Upton supporters were treated to a feast of 'end to end' rugby on a day when the wind blew strongly across the field of play but with a bright sun trying to warm things up.

UPTON 31pts, WOODRUSH 6pts

Upton had designated this North Midlands (South) One game as their vice-president's day match and the visitors from Woodrush brought along two teams on the coach on their 'mini tour' from Birmingham

Upton used the slope first and soon the pack were testing and softening the opposition with a number of catch-and-drives before releasing the ball to the backs to make more ground. Upton opened the scoring after 10 minutes when prop Melvyn Hill emerged with the ball following a well controlled rolling maul.

Woodrush tried to take the game to Upton but good defensive work by Upton's back row of Ollie Jones, Matt Bookham and Oli Banwell soon sniffed out the trouble and then turned the ball back for Upton to counter attack. Rob Heeley increased the lead for Upton with a successful penalty kick after 15 minutes to make it 8-0.

Despite playing up the slope Woodrush were slow to realise that the wind was slightly in their favour but gradually they made ground with kicks upfield by Henderson.

Both teams were trying to play an open game and the referee had a 'major' part to play in spotting the illegalities at the breakdowns. Unfortunately it was Upton who transgressed in kickable distances and Henderson duly obliged with two penalties, of which one clipped the crossbar to go over, to put Woodrush back in contention after 35 minutes at 8-6.

Upton's learning curve was quick as they sought to redress the difference before half time. The backs of Alex Pimlow, Max Edwards, Neil Caldwell and Nigel Watson put in some telling runs to take play right up to the Woodrush line before the forwards drove on and Heeley dived over for the try to make it 13-6.

Woodrush came out for the second half as if their lives depended on it. They really tested the Upton defence but no holes could be found. Heeley used the following wind to pin back Woodrush especially using right wing Chris O'Neill's speed to tie up the Woodrush backs near to their line.

Twice Woodrush couldn't handle the pressure legally so Heeley converted two penalties to put Upton further ahead at 19-6.

Upton were now in overall control especially of the line-outs through Julian Carroll's 'leaps', rucks and mauls. This in turn gave greater options for the backs which meant that Alex Plimlow had the chance to cut some good lines and create havoc for the opposition. He soon went over to score Upton's third try of the match.

Upton drove back from the restart through lock Rob Wynn who made headway up to the halfway line where the ball was released to the backs who made ground again before Woodrush pushed play towards touch. The ball was quickly recycled and a long pass found the agile Hill with room to move.

Not wishing to be thrown out of the front row union for scoring two tries in one game, as he would surely have done so with only 35 metres to go, he unselfishly spun an inch perfect 20-metre spin pass to flanker Oli Banwell, who went on a curving run to score a try under the posts on his return to the club. Heeley converted to give a final score of 31-6.

This win currently puts Upton in fourth spot in the league with the best attacking record of all the clubs.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Upton travel to third-placed Stourbridge, which will be a good test of Upton's new found resolve.