UPTON 18PTS, HARBURY 12PTS

HAVING lost to Harbury away from home at the beginning of the season, Upton were looking to continue their good run at Fortress Upton'.

With many first-choice players unavailable, it was always going to be difficult, with the visitors sitting above Upton in the league table.

That Upton were going to have a difficult afternoon, became apparent from the kick-off, with Harbury playing with wind advantage, and pressurising the home side from the first whistle. Within the first two minutes the visitors had been awarded a penalty just outside the Upton 22, which Harbury missed.

But Upton soon put this behind them, and put their own pressure on Harbury, winning a scrum against the visitors' put-in, who then conceded a penalty 60 metres. This was quickly taken by Alex Pimlow, who again showed his blistering pace with a mazy run to score. This was converted by Chris O'Neil for 7-0.

Harbury continued to fight using their strong threequarters, but were no match for Upton, whose defence was of the highest level, with Richard Mills, in the centre, stopping everything in it's tracks.

With Harbury throwing everything at Upton, it was almost inevitable that something would give. With Harbury eventually scoring just before half time. A try that will be the topic of conversation for many months, as the try scorer had been held up, again by strong Upton tackling, before grounding the ball after what seemed an eternity. The try was given making it 7-5 to Upton at half-time.

The pattern of play was disrupted in the second-half as both sides had to reshuffle their teams due to injuries as the half wore on.

Upton's cause was not aided by Dan Kyte being sin-binned for a late challenge on his opposite number.

But Upton, despite the disruptions continued to pressure and following a storming run by John Whitman, who was able to offload to Alex Pimlow, who then scored his second try. Running in from 50 metres down the left hand touch line, and beating three would be tacklers in the process. Unfortunately this went unconverted, 12-5 to Upton.

As the second-half wore on, with Harbury attacking through their forwards and threequarters Upton continued to show their strength in the set pieces.

Although a lapse of concentration allowed Harbury to score from a quickly taken penalty, 12-12. Upton continued to put pressure on Harbury, who in the last 10 minutes concede two penalties, one from 40 metres, and the other from 35 metres out. Chris O'Neil was successful with both these attempts, taking the final score to 18-12.