Upton Rugby 2009/10 So Far

A new season and a new coach for Upton. Excellent, no more driving to matches! To be honest, there is no bus; our new coach is Ollie Banwell. As a player only last year he is new to this but I am sure he can fill Coach Kelsey`s shoes.

The first match was a North Midlands Shield match against Old Saltleians. It did not go well! They do play a level above us and some tinkering with the team could also have contributed to the heavy defeat. No matter, next week would see the first league game and hopefully a solid start to the season.

As it turned out Upton made a better than solid start to the new season and the first four games were all won: two at home and two on the road. One of the home victories was versus Ledbury, always a good game to win.

A trip to Old Leams followed and it could have been a little more successful. There was only one side in the game and they were not wearing black and white. Two years in a row Old Leams have beaten us convincingly on their own patch. Bring on round three in a years time.

The National Cup saw Upton make the long journey to Rugby St Andrews. I do not think we could have gone any further! As it transpired we couldn't go any further in the cup either. All I shall say is that we did score a try.

The five league games Upton faced before Christmas were against the top four teams in the division and Southam. Home defeats were suffered versus Pershore and Dunlop, no more luck was to be had on trips to Redditch and Woodrush. Defeat was also tasted on a bitter day at Southam. The middle one of these five games was at home to Shipston, a close game on paper.

It was also a close game in the real world, 29-29! In my opinion it was also the best game of the season, feel free to disagree if you were there.

The weather took over for the next few weeks, people are saying it was the coldest period for many a year. I shall only say it was a tad parky.

Back in to action and at home to Ledbury. Well, actually we had to play the game at their place because of flooding. It was touch and go at Ross Road as well but a victory was recorded. To be honest it was just good to see some action after the enforced break. We returned to Ledbury the following week for another home match, many thanks to LRFC for their hospitality during this two week sojourn. Oh, we beat Old Leams 26-0, again, a similar result to last seasons home tie against them.

A trip to Pershore followed and, although Upton played well, it was not enough and the match ran away from us. 7-33, I think, does not do justice

The next three games promised much after the Pershore effort, Redditch at home did not go well. The 12 point start we gave them did not help. Away at Shipston and again a few early lapses gifted the Cotswold side an early lead that Upton just could not claw back. Back at home for the visit of Southam and what looks like the strongest side that was available puts in a complete game for the first time in what seems like months. The 22-3 scoreline perhaps should have been more but two points is very useful and all but seals the place in this division for next season.

I now look forward to last five matches, including tough games against Woodrush and especially away in Coventry at Dunlop.

I was not going to mention any individual players, however, I think I should congratulate back rower/winger! Max Mcfarlane on his very impressive first season in the First XV.A player to watch with interest in next few seasons, hopefully!

To finish I would like to say how good it was to see Chris Carkeek back on the touchline for the Southam game. His presence was missed.

Upton v Ledbury

I would like to say just a few words about our recent game. It had been many a week since we last played and when we arrived it looked touch and go whether we could get this game on. The first team pitch was flooded from the brook and the second team pitch was pressed into use. Ledbury are not having the most successful season up to now and Upton are fairing only marginally better, with rustiness from the lay-off taken into account a flowing game was not to be expected. However a good.competitive game followed and Upton ran our winners.

That is all well and good. What I am really writing for is to praise the overall friendliness of the Ledbury club. On my arrival I used the facilities and then proceeded to the bar for some refreshment, non- alcoholic! The man serving me was most welcoming and also chatted knowledgeably about recent cricket events in South Africa. During the game the home touch judge was never less than courteous and informed me of a couple of points that the ref had brought to his attention, I am only sorry I do not know his name. I am sure one of the Upton boys can tell me. As the game went on Ledbury never seemed to resort to spoiling play or dubious practices which many a higher ranked team have, even when they have been winning the game, which Ledbury were not. Some of the Ledbury players seemed quite young, to me anyway! but they never let their heads drop and continued to play rugby until the final whistle. This is very much to their credit and should hold them in good stead in the weeks to come.

After a convivial beer in the clubhouse I made my way back home thinking how pleasant it would be if every Saturday was as nice as this one.

Further to this game on the 23rd Ledbury very kindly loaned Upton their pitch for our game against Old Leams. Once again their hospitality was first class, maybe this contributed to what was Upton's best performance of the season. I was only sorry to hear about Ledbury` s result away at Dunlop, see local press and RFU website for details.

Thanks again to Ledbury RFC for two enjoyable weekends.

Some Tour Matches

Upton went into this tour on the back of a pretty good season. Even so, a few changes would have to be made if they were to compete with a team that plays at a slightly higher level. Mind you, to start with, a completely new fifteen was a tad risky, maybe they were keeping some of the players back for the important matches later in the tour! We usually play on rather smaller grounds than the one encountered for the first match. Crowds are normally counted on one hand rather than with the help of a computer. All these distractions may have contributed to the lacklustre display that saw victory only wrapped up near the end of the match. On a sartorial note, I am not sure the new look red shirts are really the way forward, however, to get the local bank on board as a sponsor has to be the way to go.

The standard of play picked up for the next few matches and it was looking very promising for the end of tour `Tests`. I was still doubtful about the policy of wrapping the established starting fifteen in cotton wool even if the midweek fifteen was going well. The Welsh scrum half looks particularly useful, he will do well to oust Mr Raymond from the `test` berth, their styles of play are quite similar and it would be harsh if the coach went with the new boy, his pace could be the deciding factor.

After only missing one game during the regular season, I was a bit disappointed not to be with the boys on tour! Work comes first, it is lucky that for some bizarre reason Sky decided to cover the matches live and perhaps in a little more detail than is the norm for our level of rugby.

Going into the first Test unbeaten was good news and while some of the matches had been a tad patchy, confidence was high and with many players to come into the team victory was hoped for.

Upton's front row was thought to be one of the main reasons for the good season and it was therefore a bit of a shock to be shoved all over the park and give up a number of scores. Changes at half time were obviously needed and with the problems sorted a comeback of monumental proportions was on the cards. That it fell agonisingly short was hard to take and questions were asked of what some considered dubious decisions by the Ref. Although this is never very good coming from beaten sides, I think it was worth saying and confidence was still high going in to the last two matches, both of which were at altitude. Upton had previously thought that any place higher than Malvern was `altitude`.

The start to the second match was marred by a serious incident of foul play on which we say no more than a red card was warranted. That only yellow was given is, in my opinion, only because the ref did not see it and the touch judge was perhaps a little lenient. I do not think there was any deliberate ploy not to give red. Anyway back to the game and with a one-man advantage for 10 minutes, a lead was established and come half time the game looked there for the taking. Unfortunately, the home team kept chipping away and, with the final kick of the game, a penalty given away rather carelessly by the substitute fly-half, managed a three point win: 28-25. This combined with their 26-21 win in the first match meant the series was over and only consolation could be gained in the final match.

None of Upton's usual players had been used so far and it was hoped some would get a game at Ellis Park to finish the tour off. It was not to be and perhaps with good reason. They made a dominant start, with the pack making it very easy to accrue points and defending with determination and not a little skill. At the half, a good lead was ours and this time it was not to be thrown away. Thrashing is a word too easily used but this time I think it was warranted and 28-9 was a reflection of the play. To keep the Boks tryless was extraordinary and over the three matches we had outscored them and crossed the whitewash more times then they had. Consolation for a 2-1 series defeat? Not really when the result should have been reversed and some people even thought 3-0 to the tourists was a dream only shattered by a couple of TMO decisions and a non existent red card.

For me, three hard fought test matches had been enjoyed and seven other matches were watched with enthusiasm. Not bad for a small Midlands town with limited resources, South Africa are the world champs after all.

Back in the real world, Upton start the season on 12 September at Edwardians, a nice ground but not Newlands and the first home league game is on 26th against Harbury. Be there!

Upton Require New Players

Upton-upon-Severn Rugby Club are seeking new players urgently to help solve a mini injury crisis proir to the commencment of the new season. With first team prop Seam Lancett out for possibly the whole season and worrying injuries to first teamers Matt Jefferys in the second row, and back rowers Luke Mathie and Oli Jones, Upton are looking to bolster their player numbers with players who think they could step up to the plate and offer alternative options for the 2009/2010 season.

New head coach Oli Banwell explains his reasoning behind calling out for new players so close to the new season. "We've known about Lancett for a while but the other injuries have only just come to the fore. We have had a good pre season so far and have a number of young 18-19 year olds who are good enough to play first team but we are looking for one or two more experienced players to bolster these. However we are still on the lookout for any young players who want to play regularly at a very good level who perhaps won't get that at other clubs due to their high numbers of quality players they already have."

Banwell goes on

"The message we want to get across is a simple one. If you think you are good enough then we want to hear from you. Due to our small squad compared with other local sides we offer a definite opportunity to play quality first team Rugby week in and week out against other quality local sides like Ledbury and Pershore."

National Newquay Rugby Surf Sevens Tournament

Upton Rugby clubs pre season programme produced an excellent display when they won their first piece of major silverware in the National Newquay Rugby Surf Sevens tournament in Cornwall. The event which took place on the 18th and 19th of July featured invitational teams on the Saturday, including the likes of Wasps Women's and also the eventual winners of the men's tournament The Army. Attention then turned to Sunday with forty-eight teams battling it out for a place in one of the three finals, the cup, bowl and plate. The Upton 49ers began early on Sunday against a well organised Collumpton side and the quick thinking of the opposition allowed them to take an early two try lead. Ollie Jones managed to cut the deficit in the second half with a try in the corner but it was not enough to help win the opening game. Moral in the team was kept up by the performance of the team entertainer Sam Fitch.

Now playing for the bowl in the second tier final Upton found their feet and won all the games necessary against some top university teams to reach the final. Loughborough University were the opponents and from the kick off Captain Chris O'Neil nearly gave the underdogs an early lead before being hauled down before the line. It was Upton who took the lead though and after an exchange of tries between the sides and a tense finish it was the local boys from Worcestershire who took the plaudits and the £250 prize money. Top try scorer for the Upton 49ers was Alex Pimlow whose electric feet and pace bagged him 8 tries.

Coach Kelsey was ecstatic after the plans Upton made had come together, ''sevens suits the way Upton try to play their rugby and this excellent result shows that what we're doing is working. We will be looking to come back again next year'' Captain Chris O'Neil added, 'I'm just really pleased that Upton have finally won something, I'm really proud of all the lads'

Upton's pre season training continues on tuesday's and thursdays each week at 7pm at Upton Rugby Club on Old Street, Upton. The club is still looking to recruit players and would welcome contact from any player wanting to develop their rugby at whatever level. If interested please contatct Secretary Rob Heeley on 07980 255783.