UPTON 25PTS, DUDLEY WASPS 12PTS

SECOND-placed Upton played hosts to third-placed Dudley Wasps for this Midlands Five West (South) clash and it was hard to comprehend that the flood barriers had only been removed from the riverside on Friday and Upton's pitches had been under water just over a week ago.

The early exchanges saw Dudley take the game to Upton with some neat handling moves but despite missing two relatively easy penalty kicks inside the first 15 minutes, the Wasps could not get onto the score sheet.

Upton were starting to sort themselves out as there were several positional changes due to injuries and non-availability. After 30 minutes, the ball was worked along the back-line and when hooker Rob Heeley received the ball he hastily showed' it then calmly strolled' to the line to score the opening try, although the kick was missed.

Upton were now dominating the line-outs and were making massive yardage' with a number of rolling mauls but there were no more scores before half-time as Dudley proved to be stubborn defenders.

After a couple of positional changes Upton restarted the second half, the same they had finished the first and put Dudley under pressure and skipper Chris O'Neil soon increased Upton's lead with a penalty kick from 30 metres.

Dudley hit back but it was Upton who scored next through the speedy Alex Pimlow and he soon added another try, converted by O'Neil to take the score to 20-0.

With 15 minutes left, Dudley mounted an attack down the right and got near to Upton's line but the defence held firm but after several recycles and changes of direction, Dudley's fullback finally ran through a stretched defence to score Dudley's first try for 20-5.

Upton are familiar with late comebacks of their own and were determined not to get caught out so went all out to make the game safe. This was achieved when Lorcan Lynch touched down after the ball had been moved to the rear of a ruck for 25-5.

The game was now won but there was still time for Dudley to get a converted final try to make the score 25-12.

Upton remain in second place in the table and are on the road tomorrow (Saturday), when they travel to Coventry to play Pinley.

5:45pm Thursday 14th February 2008

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