UPTON took to the highways on Saturday to visit Birmingham Exiles, near the NEC, for this North Midlands (South) One fixture.

BIRMINGHAM EXILES 3pts, UPTON 31pts

As results and league position show, Exiles are a mere shadow of their former glory days before and after amalgamation when they were known as City Officials and Birmingham Welsh.

During the last four years they have been on a slippery slope, having been relegated at a rapid pace. Having said that, they are a large, physical side, with good individual skills but seem to lack the 'team' skills that are so necessary in the modern game, and despite not wanting to lose, losing is a habit that they seem unable to overcome.

Due to unavailability, holidays, injuries and the attraction of 'some other' local derby a few miles south of Upton, skipper Ollie Jones was forced to make 11 changes, including positional, compared to last week's game. However, the player base and spirit of the club is getting higher with every game and within 20 minutes Upton were 19 points to the good.

The first try came from centre Alex Pimlow when he 'showed' and then drifted through the Exiles' back defence after Upton's forwards had 'tied up' their opposite numbers. Prop for the day Rob Heeley converted from wide out.

The next try came moments later when Exiles' No10 Jones missed touch from a penalty on the halfway. Winger Chris O'Neill caught the ball on the 22 and just sliced his way through the defence. He linked with flanker for-this-week Neil Caldwell who gained another 20 metres before shipping the pass onto Pimlow, who just had to cruise in over the final 22 metres for 0 -12.

Next up was centre Richard Mills, who again showed an amazing turn of speed and good angles of running as he defied all attempts to bring him down over 20 metres. Heeley added the conversion.

Exiles' forwards started to keep the ball tight as they made ground upfield, taking no prisoners on the way but they were denied when passes were fumbled under pressure.

Prop Andy Daniels developed a knee problem which signalled the arrival of veteran Nigel Banwell to slow things down.

Having set up the second try, it was O'Neill's turn to score as, once again, he showed his power and pace to beat two cover defenders following a chip to the corner by Mark Tether.

Five minutes before half time Matt Bookham received a painful neck injury when tackled. Upton carried on with 14 men in order to assess at the change round

Upton restarted still with 14 men, going up the slope, but the Exiles had been fired up and drove for the line, where they won a penalty when Upton transgressed under pressure. Jones was at last successful in front of the posts for a 3-24 scoreline.

Exiles came back again and Upton were reduced still further when lock/prop Melvyn Hill was adjudged to have driven in from the side of a maul. Hill's 10 minutes rest period meant more adjustments to the front row and epitomised the team spirit when the Bookham returned to the action.

Despite Exiles' pressure they could not score again. The only time they got into Upton territory was from the restart after Upton's final try which was a second one for Mills. Heeley converted to give Upton a well deserved 3-31 win with all players playing their part.

Upton's next home match is on February 12 against Stourport and back to league duty on February 19 against Woodrush.