Rugby: North Mids One South

Redditch 24 Upton 12

REDDITCH welcomed the league leaders to Bromsgrove Road determined to emulate their recent cup form in the league.

But the home side made the worst possible start when the strong Upton pack released their backs down the blindside for a well taken converted try on seven minutes.

The score finally spurred Redditch into action and they kept to their plan of keeping the ball moving against an Upton pack that just wanted to drive mauls all day.

Will Wilson kicked two penalties to close the gap and the Kingfishers' front five began to outscrummage the opposition with Mark Laishley very impressive.

Redditch bagged their first try when, from a disrupted scrum, the back row pounced and quick passing put winger Ed Gray through.

Wilson missed the conversion but converted a penalty just before half-time to make the score 14-7 at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half and Upton closed to within two points when they caught and drove over the line.

But Wilson converted another penalty five minutes later and the stand-off began to control the proceedings. Redditch completed the win when veteran replacement Gary Carter burst through four Upton defenders to score near the posts, Jaimie Rodden's conversion completing the scoring.

Redditch 2nds romped to a fine 26-0 victory over Veseyan 2nds but the Exiles lost at home to Shottery 12-0.

Redditch have a pool fixture on Saturday.