BEDWORTH 33, UPTON 13

UPTON ended their Midlands Four West (South) campaign with a fourth successive defeat.

But despite this reverse in Warwickshire, the south Worc-estershire side showed signs of improvement.

In their first campaign at this level, the aim was to stay up.

However, they exceeded the early-season expectations as they went joint top with a month to go. This loss at Bedworth, however, means the Old Street side end the season in fifth place.

It was a tight affair at Bedworth with only five points separating the two teams until the final 10 minutes.

However, two late tries by the already-promoted hosts gave the score an unbalanced look.

Upton should have done better in this clash, but they were guilty of missed tackles and handling errors. When they did have the ball, the backs, in particular, were much sharper than their hosts.

Chris O’Neil, Dan Aldersey and Alex Flower all had chances to score tries in the first-half.

Upton took the when O’Neil slotted a penalty but Bedworth replied immediately with an unconverted try when Will Carr was caught in possession.

The lead was extended with a penalty before Upton hit back.

Scrum-half Alex Pimlow, filling in for the ill Brad Raymond in what should have been his last game before retirement, kicked up-field and a great chase by Flower, allowed Luke Mathie to snaffle the Bedworth full-back.

The home side managed to recycle the ball but in their attempt to clear fly-half Dan Keyte blocked the kick with his chest and picked the ball up to score under the posts. O’Neil converted.

Bedworth replied immediately once more with a converted try to give them a 15-10 half-time lead.

The second period started with O’Neil trading penalties with the Bedworth centre to make the scores 18-13.

The scores remained the same until the final 10 minutes when, from what seemed a forward pass, Bedworth scored a converted try.

Upton, sensing a score was necessary, started to run the ball with Rob Heeley, Oli Jones and Pimlow always looking to find a gap in the Bedworth defence.

However, the referee’s continued interruption with the whistle did not allow the visitors to get anything going.

Bedworth extended their lead with another penalty and, with the final play of the game, they took the ball blind from a scrum on half-way and cleverly worked the ball to the winger to score.