UPTON narrowly escaped relegation from Midlands Three West (South) despite a 19-19 home draw with local rivals Bromyard.

A victory would have kept them up but a draw proved enough as Old Wheatleyans slipped up 27-24 at home to Manor Park.

Having beaten basement boys Bromyard easily at the start of the season, Upton were buoyed by an early try.

From a five-metre line-out, Rob Heeley touched down though Jake Lock missed the conversion.

But then in hot conditions Upton struggled to keep a powerful Bromyard side at bay.

Their cause was hampered when Rich Clive left the pitch with a head injury after 10 minutes and Bromyard capitalised on a reorganisation in midfield to scythe through for a converted try.

From kick-off Bromyard cleared downfield but as Upton partially blocked the kick the visitors retrieved the ball and ran the length of the pitch for a second converted try.

Despite dominating the rest of the half, Upton had to settle for a Heeley penalty before the break.

The hosts started the second half brightly and Heeley made it 14-11 with a second penalty.

Upton dominated but could not find a way through and Heeley left the field with a rib injury.

Lock kicked a third penalty to level but Bromyard charged down a kick and won the race to the touchline to make it 19-14 with an unconverted try.

With five minutes left, Upton threw the kitchen sink at Bromyard and were rewarded when Lock went through a gap to score their second try.

Lock missed the conversion and Upton lost another player when Will Cullwick suffered a nasty ankle injury.

Upton nervously waited for the other scores to come in and were delighted to secure their league status in third-from-bottom position.

Bromyard finish their season at home to Old Coventrians on Saturday while Upton entertain Woodrush on Saturday, May 5.