To use an old cliche, this certainly a game of two halves, with hosting visitors Bromyard. With the first team pitch already well underwater, the visitors were the first to settle into the game. Upton found it difficult to contain the strong visiting team, and made hard work of the first 40 minutes. Lack of concentration, and maybe with one eye on the rising water levels, half time was reached with the home side 7 - 17 down.
Harsh words at the break, as well as a realisation that the game was going to be played out to it's final conclusion, saw a different looking Upton start the second half. With self belief restored, Upton started exerting pressure on the visitors, and with fly half Chris O'Neil taking the initiative that saw him score a solo effort from 50 metres out, which he converted, the game began to swing Upton's way.
Oli Jones caused dispution amongst the Bromyard threequarters, causing unforced errors, and the Upton forwards began to take control upfront. Bromyard started to give away penalties, with scrum half Richard Mills taking advantage from 10 metres out, running across the pitch to outflank the defence and score in the opposite corner, again converted by Chris O'Neil from wide out.
Upton continued to pressurise the visitors, leading to further tries from Chris O'Neil, which he converted, and Bromyard losing their scrum half for 10 minutes, after wearing the referee's patience thin, for continually illegal disruption at the rucks.
From being 10 points down, Upton's fight back saw them 11 points in the lead, 28 - 17. Bromyard never being a side to lie down and give up the cause, were true their reputation, and the last 10 minutes saw them hammering away at the Upton line, and only a resolute defence with strong tackling, saw the home side keep their line in tact.
With the final whistle going, the relief was felt, not so much for the pitch remaining water free, but for having come away from a hard afternoon with a win.
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