Strengthened second string rally to the battle cry

Upton's second team captain Adam Caulkin has had a difficult year this year as many of last year's side have won places in the first team.

Despite this he has still managed to rally his troops to almost a 50:50 record. His battle cry on Saturday was for one more win to gee the players up before the end of the season.

He was helped by the fact that the 1st XV had no game so were able to release a few players.

The game started brightly for the home side as the forwards won continuous ball, which allowed the backs to have a go at running at their opposite numbers. But it took the Upton three quarters until the second half to really function as a unit.

The pack led by the likes of Lancett, Hill and Kitchener were too strong for Wyvern but it was Mark Atkinson, Ben Penson, and Nick Allen who really stole the show with powerful running and superb support play.

Shaun Lancett opened the scoring, driving through three men to score under the posts. Rob Heeley converted for a 7-0 lead.

After this positive start Upton took their foot off the gas and before half time allowed Wyvern back into it with a try of their own to make the score 7-5.

Upton felt confident going into the second half because of the strong wind in their favour.

However, early poor kicking by Gidley, Heeley and Hodges allowed Wyvern the chance to grab the lead. Despite this sticky start to the second half Upton soon found their feet again and started to pile on the pressure.

Their second try was a wonderful flowing move which started in the Upton half before being transferred through at least seven different pairs of hands with Nick Bennett on hand at the end to finish off.

From this point Wyvern never really had a look-in as even the Upton backs started to show some fluidity. Fly half Heeley started a move, which involved himself twice together with front Rowers Hill, Daniells, and Lancett, but it was the pace of outside centre Dave Hill that finished the move off in the corner. Heeley managed to convert this one to increase the lead to 19-5.

Upton continued with their policy of 15-man rugby, as backs took big hits and forwards delivered deft passes. The lead was increased further as Upton laid siege to the Wyvern line, Nick Bennett burrowing his way over for his second try with Heeley's third conversion.

Scrum half Dai Hodges fed Heeley who went blind. His pass put Gidley in the clear and his dummy allowed himself to score the fifth try much to right winger Nigel Watson's dismay as he battles it out with Brad Raymond and Shaun Lancett for top try scorer this season. Heeley converted.