STOURBRIDGE Lions visited Upton in the North Midlands (South) One for the first time since they were formed from their more renowned 'parent' team Stourbridge.

UPTON 12pts STOURBRIDGE LIONS 11pts

During their previous two years in the leagues the Lions had never lost a league game and had been promoted each year. Stourbridge have always had a big set of forwards and this team were no different.

A good crowd saw the early exchanges going back and forward over the middle 60 metres as the teams sized-up each other. The Lions took the lead after 11 minutes when Smith was successful with a penalty.

Upton found they had mastery of the line-outs and rolling mauls, both of which were used to good effect, but both teams had trouble working out the thinking of the referee when it came to the rucks. After 30 minutes Rob Heeley levelled the scores at 3-3 for Upton with a penalty.

Stourbridge regained the lead with another penalty through Smith when Upton were adjudged to have handled on the ground after 32 minutes.

Upton reverted to the rolling maul to make huge in-roads into the Lions' territory and were unlucky to be told that the ball had been 'held up' over the line. From the resultant five-metre scrum, Matt Bookham, playing his first match of the season since a summer injury, picked up the ball and broke the covering tackle and was clear for the line only for the retreating ref to knock into him. Upton won the scrum again and Heeley dropped a goal to level the scores again as the first half ended all square at 6-6.

In the second half, Upton used a new tactic with Heeley putting long kicks downfield for the fast men to chase and test the covering defence. This ploy paid dividends as twice inside six minutes the Lions were exposed and were forced to concede penalties both of which Heeley converted for 12-6.

Upton kept up the pressure with rolling mauls and stretched the opposition with quick passes.

After taking numerous balls against the head, Paul Pickering found himself out wide on the left and 25 metres to the line when the ball was spun out quickly to him. With his legs going like pistons he got to the line but was held up.

This stirred the Lions into renewed life and with Upton falling foul of the referee for alleged handling on the ground infringements they soon forced Upton back onto their own line.

Despite holding on for two five metre scrums, Upton succumbed to a push over try by Lawler right under the posts, however Smith pulled the conversion wide to leave the score at 12-11.

With two minutes remaining skipper Ollie Jones rallied the troops and came close to scoring a deserved try after another match where he led by example.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Upton travel to Woodrush for their next league match when they hope to add to their points in a division where there are going to be many close matches.