UPTON II 22pts, LEDBURY III 26pts

FROM the kick-off Ledbury pressurised the home side, making a break deep into Upton's 22, with only a fine try saving tackle by No 8 Mark Hunt preventing an early score.

Against the general run of play, Upton found themselves 5-0 up, following a break from the scrum by scrum-half Lee Chmielewski, who had a lively game, before passing on to the Upton right-wing Jason Bell, who ran in from 35 metres out.

With the conversation missed, these were the only points Upton could muster in the first half.

The Ledbury pressure led to four tries being scored, including one by Graham Martin in his comeback game, and one by Chris Watts, who also kicked three conversions to give the visitors a 5-26 half-time lead.

With several changes made by both sides at half time, the second half began with Upton showing far more enterprise and spirit. Blind side flanker, Russell Price was the first to score but again the extras were missed.

Upton continued to pressure in the forwards, Matt Earle in particular making his mark, and the threequarters started running at Ledbury, with Ben Ash, and Lee Chmielewski, both making telling breaks, time and time again.

Alex Flower scored, following some very slick handling and Chmielewski converted, taking the score to 17-26.

Ledbury caught and drove deep into Upton's 22. With a try looking to be certainty, to put the game out of Upton's reach, they stole the ball, and broke out themselves, culminating in another well-worked try for Alex Flowers, 22-26.

This was to be the final score of the match, leaving Upton to ponder on what might have been. The first-half score line being 5-26, and the second half 17-0, definitely a game of two halves.