UPTON went into their last home league match of the season determined to give skipper Rob Heeley a win and keep the team bubbling for the remainder of the season.

UPTON 14pts, CLEOBURY MORTIMER 13pts

Upton kicked off down field but Cleobury took the lead after five minutes with a penalty from full back Colin Smith. Upton soon levelled the scores with a penalty from Rob Heeley.

Upton's forwards were now in dominating form, so much so that they were having trouble staying on their feet as the opposition were unable put to up enough resistance to stop the rucks and mauls collapsing and found themselves driving over the top. As a result Upton found that they were penalised for their superior strength and ability.

Upton sorted the problem and the forwards drove for the opposition's line. Cleobury could not legally sustain the pressure and Upton opted for set scrum five metres out. With the ball won, No 8 Rob Wynn picked up the ball from the base of the scrum and drove over in the corner for an unconverted try to give a half time score 8-3.

At half time Cleobury worked out a few of their problems and tested Upton with some all round team efforts that saw good linking between forwards and backs. Upton again displeased the official who reduced them to 14 men for 10 minutes, during which time Cleobury levelled the scores with an unconverted try by winger Bunn.

With numbers restored, Upton tested the Cleobury line again and another Heeley penalty regained the lead with 20 minutes remaining. Cleobury were not finished and again linked well for centre Browning to score an unconverted try when Upton failed to clear their line and had a clearance kick charged down.

In the last minutes Upton had to re-gather their thoughts to work out a win. It started with a thrusting run up the wing by Chris O'Neill who was forced into touch just a metre short of the line. Cleobury won the ball then knocked on. At the resulting scrum Cleobury resorted to some illegal tactics and were duly penalised. Heeley kept his cool and kicked the winning points 14 -13.

After the other results Upton now move up to sixth in the league just ahead of their next league opponents Woodrush whom they play on April 17 in Birmingham.

Tomorrow (Easter Saturday), Upton entertain Belper, who are on tour from Derbyshire.