AFTER a gruelling pre-season, the new look Upton second XV were ready for action against their old adversaries Tenbury Wells in front of an expectant crowd.

UPTON II 45pts, TENBURY WELLS II 17pts

From the off, Tenbury tried to make their superior size count by playing a tight-game and keeping the ball, where possible in amongst their pack. The visitors in fact should have taken an early lead but for some brave defending.

After this early pressure, Upton's young side began to assert themselves and it wasn't long until their game plan of feeding their fast and mobile back-line began to pay dividends. The evergreen Tim Dodge, filling-in at scrum-half, picked up the ball from the back of the scrum, threw an outrageous dummy, then sprinted into space before crashing over the line to make the score 5-0.

Straight from the re-start Upton applied more pressure on their guests by running the ball straight back at them. After a fortunate turnover, the number 10 cleared the ball to Upton speed merchant Richard Scott in his own half. He then made a direct run for the line, shaking off three tackles before being upended with the try-line begging, the ensuing injury bought a premature end to Scott's afternoon.

Rookie fly-half Jamie Daniell crashed the ball home after some good work by Upton pack moments before half-time to give the hosts a convincing 19-0 scoreline with full-back Richard Cope converting two of the tries.

Tenbury entered the second-half with renewed vigour and their hard work was rewarded with a converted try. Upton still looked half asleep for the first part of the half and were in danger of letting Tenbury back in to the game until Joe Symington made a crucial interception in his own 22 and galloped over the line to restore Upton's dominance, Richard Cope added the conversion.

Upton's hard work during pre-season was starting to show and the backs were enjoying a lot freedom. Will Carr capitalised on some sloppy hands and found himself in a scoring position after fending off a strong tackle from the visitors' full-back.

The Upton forwards were determined not to let their backs have all the glory and the swash-buckling Adam Breakwell used his immense strength and deceptive pace to blast a hole through the defence to run in from 60 metres.

Upton's sixth try was by far their most impressive with Tim Dodge and Andy Daniell making some strong runs forward and on the seventh phase of the move, fly-half Daniell glided home on the blind side.

Jared Wood completed the rout after running on to his own high ball and dragging two defenders over the line in the far corner. Richard Cope added a further two points to seal a well-earned victory.