WORCESTER Wanderers entertained Upton-upon-Severn at Sixways in a Midlands Four West (South) top-of-the-table clash and recorded an excellent 45-17 win.

Upton travelled to Worcester without four first-team regulars and matters were made worse after 20 minutes when fly-half Dan Keyte left the field with injury.

The visitors kicked-off the match but the ball failed to go 10 metres and, from the resultant scrum, Wanderers fly-half Dan Sparrey kicked deep into the Upton 22.

However, despite having territorial advantage, Wanderers couldn’t break down the well-organised Upton defence.

Finally, the pressure told and Upton gave away a penalty, which was converted by Sparrey.

Following another period of pressure, Tim Ohlson scored a fine team try in the left-hand corner. Sparrey missed the conversion.

From the re-start, Wanderers went back on the offensive, Upton conceded another penalty and again Sparrey made no mistake.

Wanderers continued to dominate possession, but Upton’s defence was unyielding.

An interception from just inside their own half led to a fine individual try from Upton left wing Will Carr, but the conversion was missed.

Wanderers fought back, though, and Sparrey converted a long-range penalty to extend their lead to 14-5.

With seconds remaining in the first-half, Ally McLaughlin made a decisive break and off-loaded to Greg Fincher, who cut a great line to score unopposed to the right of the posts. Sparrey added the extras.

The second-half began with Wanderers continuing to hold territorial advantage and they recorded an early try from Luke Denton, following good work from Mike James.

Sparrey’s successful kick made the score 28-5.

However, it was then Upton’s turn to dominate proceedings. The visitors enjoyed their best spell in the match, scoring two fine tries in a 10-minute spell.

First, Alex Pimlow ran the ball in from half-way, rounding his opposite number, before slicing between the wing and full-back for a try.

Then, an Upton scrum on the Wanderers’ five-metre line led to Matt Jefferies on the blindside flank picking the ball up and charging over for another score.

Mike Dodge converted the second of the two tries to make the score 28-17.

Wanderers re-grouped, though, and finished the game as the stronger team, controlling the final quarter and scoring three tries from the resurgent David Merlin, Jake Saddington and Chris Jenkinson.

Sparrey completed his fine haul with two more conversions.

Wanderers were only denied a fourth try due to the pass from Sparrey to Paul Burton being adjudged forward.