Upton travelled to south Birmingham on Saturday to renew old acquaintances against a side they have played many times over the last 6 to 7 years. However last season they did not play each other after Woodrush won Midlands 5 West (south) in 2006-2007.
Saturday's game proved to be very similar to past encounters, tight, powerful and generally low scoring.
In a strong wind which was eventually joined by driving rain the game was never going to be pretty and this is never helped by Woodrush's sloping pitch.
Hindsight has shown that the first score is vital and Upton put themselves in a strong position with an interception try on 2 minutes. As Woodrush produced quick ball and span wide Adam Heath, playing outside centre rather than his usual open side flanker, gambled, grabbed the ball on the half way and showed tremendous pace to outstrip Woodrush's Italian international winger to score under the posts. Dan Keyte converted to make the score 0-7.
Woodrush came straight back at Upton again producing quick ball within the Upton half for their Fly half Steve Smart to burst through a gap and score under the posts. However he missed the conversion to leave the scores at 5-7.
Upton's scrum started to get the upper hand but it was their dominance in the lineout that provided them with enough ball to keep them toe to toe with their hosts. From a lineout the backs fed Heath again who burst through the centres only to be tackled 10 metres short of the line. Upton tried to recycle but were denied by an infringement at the ruck which Keyte duly converted to make the score 5-10 at half time.
Playing into the wind in the second half Upton knew it was backs against the wall time but Woodrush could not break down Upton's resolute defence in particular best friends Rich Mills and Adam Heath in the centres who were rocks in defence all day but also offered important go forward when they had the ball.
Neither side really threatened to score in the second half as the game deteriorated in skill level in line with the weather but Upton just had enough strength despite the loss of open side Bookham and prop Leeke to injury and Lancett, the other prop to the bin in the last 5 minutes to earn a win that gets their season back on track again.
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