THE word in Upton is that the town's rugby club is at last making a fighting comeback in what could still prove another mediocre season for the black and whites if they're not careful.
UPTON 1st XV 24pts, FIVE WAYS 1st XV 15pts
The talk of the town on Saturday night was that of a team with the potential to now challenge for top spot and gain that long sought after league promotion.
But this is merely the first half of a season with four or five evenly matched teams in the North Midlands One league all yet capable of promotion. The league title will be won on the required steely determination that makes winners.
For Upton, it was four league wins in succession with captain Rob Heeley quietly satisfied with the team's performance.
"This game could prove very decisive in the final outcome," he said. "We remain resolute in our ambition, and with strength and depth in our whole squad, there are the players to carry us through."
It was an anxious start for Upton's finest, with the 'big boys' from Five Ways dominating the first quarter's forward play.
The hosts simply lacked confidence and self-belief up front and accepted too readily that the pack should play second fiddle to a predictable 'run at 'em' Five Ways forward line. However, what Five Ways had in bulk, Upton had in fitness and this ultimately proved one of the deciding factors in who would win.
It was the visitors who were first to score with a giveaway penalty. Upton retaliated with a wonderfully executed run from the back line to put winger Nigel Watson over for a try in the corner. Five Ways came back hard, perhaps too hard as they gave away the first and then a second penalty. Full-back Heeley duly converted both.
Upton steadily grew in stature and unleashed their back line on every possible occasion but they struggled in set play, particularly the scrummage.
"It's something we can put right," added Heeley. "We held our own, but never looked capable of dominating at the scrum. But, neither did Five Ways really capitalise on the advantage."
Another try from Upton centre, Brad Raymond saw Upton begin to pull away with Heeley converting, but again Five Ways came back, this time scoring a push over try early in the second half.
However, the visitors were punished with two further penalties against them. Heeley again did the honours, bringing his points tally this season to 100.
It was end-to-end stuff with Upton's defending absolutely resolute. Flanker, Ollie Jones came on with 20 minutes remaining, replacing an injured Ben Penson, and added significantly to the tackle count. Five Ways began to run out of steam and ideas. Frustration set in with one or two bad tempered exchanges, but Upton stayed focused and kept the win firmly within their grasp.
Man of the match was centre Huw Williams.
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