IT was always going to be a close affair with top team Upton playing improving Redditch, who themselves had designs upon the top spot.

REDDITCH 27PTS, UPTON-UPON-SEVERN 15PTS

From the first scrum it appeared Upton had superiority in the forwards, their large pack charging Redditch off the ball to allow a counter from the travelling team's midfield.

Gaining ground with each play, the forwards drove upfield relentlessly and a neat slight of hand from Rob Beaker set Chris O'Neill free to make the 25 metres to score. Rob Heeley duly converted for 0-7.

Whether it was over-confidence or carelessness that crept into Upton's play, it will need to be sorted prior to the next game against Bredon Star, no mean footballing side themselves.

The following 20 minutes saw Upton have a majority of possession but give away 13 points through two needless penalties and a well-worked, though not unstoppable try just before the break.

The first ten minutes of the second half showed more of the same. Upton started strongly with Daniell and Leeke disrupting the Redditch forward patterns and Tether choosing good options at fly-half.

It was only a matter of minutes until they again asserted themselves, hooker Heeley this time charging over the line from three yards out.

Although in front, Upton were never able to release their dynamic back division and Redditch were gaining in confidence the longer their capable defence held out.

It was a string of further transgressions in the loose by Upton that gave the excellent Redditch kicker the opportunity to shorten and indeed overturn the lead in the closing stages.

Three more penalties and tension rising, Redditch, following an excellent upfield clearing kick, turned over an Upton line-out and tore into the Upton defence. Two phases later and the replacement back-row forward charged over for the points and the game.

It was good to see near the end of the game that Nick Bennett made his comeback for Upton.

A lesson to be learned by Upton, who need to improve their game plan and increase their intensity before tomorrow's (Saturday) game away at Bredon Star.