A LATE penalty from Rob Heeley saw Upton gain a valuable point from a 20-15 defeat at Alcester in Midlands Three West (South).

Upton who are two points above relegation rivals Old Wheathleyans can now ensure survival with a home victory over Bromyard on Saturday (3pm).

But the Old Street side missed the chance to banish any fears of the drop last weekend as they took the game to Alcester, pushing the home side’s pack backwards.

After a series of scrums on Alcester’s five-metre line, Max Macfarlane touched down for the first score. Heeley missed the conversion.

The hosts were playing a physical game as Upton lost second row Chris Thomas with a suspected fractured jaw and scrum-half James Page left the pitch with a broken nose.

Alcester landed a penalty before Upton increased their lead to 12-3 when centre Frankie Bent teed up Dan Aldersey who raced in under the posts. Heeley added the extras.

But on the stroke of half-time Alcester sucked in Upton’s defence and went over for an unconverted score out wide.

They then kicked on after the break with two more tries to move 20-12 in front.

Upton knew that any points were valuable as they pushed to get within seven points.

Heeley reduced the score with a penalty with five minutes to go, but Alcester held out to win.

Meanwhile, an early Jamie Gibbons try followed by a brace from John Pudge earned already-relegated Bromyard a losing bonus point from a 24-19 home defeat to Shipston-on-Stour.