Upton-upon-Severn 12, Kidderminster Carolians 24.

UPTON-upon-Severn missed out to higher-graded Kidderminster in the North Midlands Shield quarter-final.

With Upton having won promotion to Kidderminster’s league, Midlands Two West (South), for next season, it would have been a good test if all their usual personnel had been available. The Old Street side kicked off and the teams moved up and down the pitch, testing each other’s defences.

But it was Upton who drew first blood when play moved onto the visitors’ 10-metre line close to touch. Here, the ball was recycled to the blindside and winger Dan Aldersey easily outpaced the defence to score.

As skipper Dan Keyte is now sidelined for the rest of the season, Mike Dodge took over the kicking duties but was unsuccessful from wide out.

Carolians re-started the game and Upton went on a charge again, then flanker Adam Heath made 20 metres, before handing on to his fellow flanker Paul Hannah.

He beat the defence over the remaining 35 metres to score under the posts. Dodge converted with only 15 minutes gone to give his side a 12-0 lead.

Kidderminster realised they had a game on their hands and their memories drifted back 14 years when Upton last played their higher-placed rivals from north Worcestershire in the cup and beat them in extra-time. Gradually, Carolians gained ground near to the host’s line through a penalty kick to touch from their kicker and centre Andy McLellan proved to be a thorn in Upton’s side.

From the resultant line-out five metres out, Kidderminster drove on and the referee awarded a penalty try for allegedly pulling down the maul. McLellan converted to make it 12-7.

The visitors were now in their stride and their forwards and backs worked together to sustain pressure on Upton.

Again, McLellan made the break for prop Matt Rigsby to score and McLellan added the extras for a 14-12 lead.

Kidderminster finished the first-half with another try when winger Will Varley scored, following a strong run by full-back Nick Martin. In true tradition, Upton went on the attack at the re-start and throughout the second-half and pressurised the opposition, who defended well.

In a rare moment the visitors broke downfield where prop Ben Turner was on hand to drive over for an unconverted try and to give them a 24-12 win.

Upton now return to Midlands Three West (South) action and currently need six points from a possible 10 in their last two games to claim the title. Their last home league game is against Coventry Welsh tomorrow, followed by a trip to Evesham to close their campaign seven days later (both ko 3pm).