The last time Upton played Dunlop three years ago in a end of season league playoff they got thumped. With Dunlop flying high at the top of the table with 4 wins out of 4 Upton were wary of a similar pasting.

Three years ago Dunlop were a very young talented side with a few old heads but as they warmed up on saturday the youth was still there but they seemed to be lacking the experience. This was something veteran prop Sean Lancett cottoned onto as he rallied the forwards into a barnstorming display.

Preparations were hit before the game as last weekend's man of the match Adam Heath had to stay with his wife as she began the first signs of labor but Rob Wynn came into the side for his first start of the season.

Just like last week the oppostion started brightly and span the ball wide but outside centre Pimlow intercepted on his 22 and ran the length of the pitch to score. Dan Keyte converted to make the score 7-0.

Upton's forwards rucked and defended ferociously and combined with strong defence out wide, particularly from skipper and full back O'Neil, kept the visitors at bay.

From a lineout 35 metres out prop Price peeled off the lineout broke a tackle before off loading to scrum half Raymond, returning for his first game since Ledbury, who burst through a further two tackles to score under the posts. Keyte converted again 14-0.

Dunlop soon got on the board with a try from a quick tap penalty but Upton regained their advantage after patient build up play allowed quick ball to be fed to the backs and O'Neil burst through the tackle 30 metres out and raced in to score to make the half time score 21-5.

Upton's half time talk revolved around not having a lull period and this certainly did not happen as they scored immediately from the restart. A kick downfield was expertley chased by winger Alex Flower who tackled the oppostion full back to set up a ruck. the clearance kick didn't make touch and Will Carr fed openside Banwell who passed to blinside Jones who barged his way over to score. 26-5.

Upton soon put the game beyond reach as from a sharp lineout Fly half Keyte sold two dummies before feeding O'Neil who broke the tackle again and raced for the line. It looked like he would put Flower in the corner but the defence covered the winger and let O'Neil stroll in. 31-5.

Upton took their foot off the gas in the last 20 as they were forced to make changes at scrum half, wing, and hooker and Dunlop scored two late tries to make the final score 31-17.

This week Upton entertain Wolverhampton in the EDF National senior Vase.

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