UPTON'S seconds continued to fly the flag as Upton's only representative as the season draws to a close the club only managed to field one side as many players are carrying injuries.

UPTON 2nd XV 7pts, REDDITCH 2nd XV 12pts

Captain Adam Caulkin has led his team well this year to around a 50:50 win ratio but Saturday's contest proved a little to slippery for the away side. On a very wet pitch Upton started the brighter down the hill and managed to spray the ball wide in difficult handling conditions.

After 10 minutes normal winger Nigel Watson, playing at full back, made a dashing break through the Redditch defence before putting in skipper Caulkin for a lovely opening try. Heeley converted to make the score 7-0 to the visitors. Upton could have increased the lead a number of times in the half but couldn't quite capitalise as the pouring rain worsened the conditions. This allowed Redditch to creep back into the game and before half time they managed to get a try to make the half time score 7-5 to Upton.

As the second half began it had become almost impossible to determine which side players were on and due to the mud it was just as hard to recognise the individual players. Redditch seemed to adapt better to the problems and scored a second try early in the half, which they duly converted to make the score 12-7.

Despite the fact Upton were playing up the hill they virtually dominated, territorially, the second half. Big second row Charlie Parry had a strong game in the loose, as did the back row of Bennett, Atkinson and usual centre, Steve Winwood who played at flanker. However as much as Upton tried they couldn't breakdown the Redditch defence as the home side cover defence twice thwarted Caulkin. In the end Redditch ran out winners but Upton had played very well to keep with their opponents who actually play in a division higher. Special praise should go to veteran hooker James Hill, and props Lancett and Whitman who scrummaged well in the sloppy conditions and backs Matt Rogers, Gareth Evans and Tim Pratt who hardly missed a tackle all game.

- With the season drawing to a close all that remains is the 20th anniversary weekend on the weekend of April 20, 21 and 22. The weekend starts with the players dinner on the Friday evening, followed by the Original XV v's Veteran XV on the Saturday (with a Disco at night) and concluding with the 1st XV v's President's XV on the Sunday. Support is not only welcomed but would be very much appreciated.