Another league season kicked off for Upton with a home match against our Warwickshire friends from Harbury with whom the honours were shared last year. It is hard to realise that eight weeks ago the pitch was under 2 metres of water but today it was hard under the burning sun and dare we say we need some rain to help save blistered feet and the skinned knees and elbows.

Upton went behind after 5mins when Harbury converted one of several penalties but from the restart Upton expanded their game to cover wide areas of the field and so stretch the opposition which paid dividends as left winger Alex Flower raced over to score in the corner and Upton were never headed again

The majority of play was now in the Harbury half and it was only a matter of time before another score came which duly did when Russell Price ambled over following a penalty move 10 metres out and skip Chris O'Neill added the conversion and then another O'Neill penalty increased the lead further

Half time was now approaching and Upton took their feet off the gas enabling Harbury to get into Upton's territory and Upton infringed three times from which Harbury converted one but when the third one fell short Upton kicked the ball down field, young antipodean Marek Willis follow up, caught Harbury's full back unaware and managed to regain the ball to score and so give a half time score

Upton restarted the second half as they left off with the forwards driving on before releasing the backs and it wasn't long before Harbury cracked as Alex Pimlow turned on the after burners to race clear and score

Upton's pack continued to be bullies with some big hits being made by Adam Heath, long carries by Dave Hunt, and Matt Bookham and there in support was always Rob Heeley, Luke Boulton and university bound Lorcan Lynch who added his name to the score sheet when he claimed the try following a forward's drive

With 'normal' time running out, Alex Pimlow read the opposition plans perfectly and was able to intercept on their 22metres and scamper home for his second try

With only moments left, Upton showed compassion on the opposition and gave away a converted penalty try to give a final score of 35-13

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