UPTON got their first win since Christmas by beating Old Wheatleyans 25-15 and helped their cause against relegation from Midlands Three West (South).

In cold conditions, Upton were asked to play with the wind in the first half and built a good lead when Rob Heeley kicked two early penalties and George Ainge ran through from centre to score.

The windy conditions made it too difficult for Heeley to convert.

But Upton allowed the battling visitors to come back when they gave away needless penalties at the breakdown.

With the difficulty of kicking to touch due to the wind, Old Wheats ran the ball at every opportunity and their pacey full-back scythed through to score out wide.

Upton looked shellshocked and the same player fielded a kick on halfway before doing the same again to make it 11-10.

The hosts regained control through skipper Max Macfarlane who used his power on two occasions to score two tries before half-time which Heeley converted.

Playing against the strong wind, Upton upped their defence in the second period.

Matt Dunwell, Charlie Abbey and Freddie Barrell put in a huge shift as they tried to repel whatever Old Wheats threw at them.

But against the strong wind Upton were finally breached when the Old Wheats number eight powered over from a five-metre penalty to reduce the arrears.

However with the conversion missed the visitors were still 10 points behind.

As the game became slightly disjointed, Upton kept the ball tight to reduce Old Wheats' chances of counter-attacking and eventually the home side ran out winners.

They host Shipston-on-Stour on Saturday.