UPTON Rugby Club lost 28-22 at home to promotion-chasing local rivals Ledbury after being in control of the game with 20 minutes to go.

After being thumped 46-12 by Ledbury in Midlands Three West (South) in September, it looked like Upton had got their revenge with a 22-0 lead but they fell apart in the last quarter.

Upton dominated up front in the first half and scored three tries as a result.

Skipper Max Macfarlane touched down from a close-range scrum before second row Ed Dusting got on the end of a rolling maul drive from a five-metre line-out.

Winger Joe Ayres finished off a back-row move again from another five-metre scrum to put Upton 17-0 ahead at half-time as Rob Heeley kicked one conversion.

Upton started the second half as they finished the first and Ayres scored his second try after the Old Street hosts worked the ball through quick hands on the blind side.

But Heeley’s off-day with the conversion kicking ultimately led to their downfall.

Ledbury kept coming at Upton and scored two quick, converted tries to make it 22-14.

Dan Heath and George Hillson dived over with the latter adding the extras.

They scored a third try through Matt Hallett with 10 minutes to go and it was again converted to make the scoreline 22-21.

Upton seemed to lose all their energy and Ledbury were on the front foot.

When Upton gave away another penalty with two minutes to go, Ledbury took a quick tap and ran in under the posts.

The fourth converted try had been secured by Hillson who ended the match with 18 points.

Upton had one last chance to snatch a win but from a scrum five metres out the ball popped out the side and Ledbury cleared for victory.

The Worcestershire side are fourth from bottom in the table ahead of Saturday’s rearranged visit to south Birmingham side Woodrush who are one place and six points ahead of them.

Meanwhile, Ledbury visit Coventry outfit Dunlop with both sides level on 37 points in sixth and seventh positions respectively.

The Ross Road side will hope their mix of youth and experience can be combined with some belief to challenge the top sides with leaders Shipston-on-Stour only nine points away having played a game more.