UPTON showed some rustiness in their 32-14 Midlands Two West (South) opening victory over Banbury but showed some positive signs for the new season.

Upton started on the front foot and after two minutes young wing Joe Ayres fed Alex Pimlow who scored with Greg Fincher converting to make it 7-0.

Then from a turnover ball, Luke Cooke made the initial break and fed winger Dan Aldersey who then found Tom Dodge who scored in the corner.

Upton’s Chris O’Neil was sent to the bin for hands in the ruck and this gave Banbury the chance to score a converted try.

A Fincher penalty made it 15-7, but as O’Neil rejoined the game, Luke Cooke was sent to the bin to leave Upton with their narrow lead.

Upton knew they had to continue to play their patterns to secure the victory and this is exactly what they did in the second-half. However, they lost a third player to the bin in Chris Thomas.

Upton’s third try came on 50 minutes. Fincher fed prop Rob Heeley in midfield and instead of taking the ball into contact he popped to Dodge who fed Ollie Cooke for his first Upton try. Fincher converted to make it 22-7.

The bonus point came five minutes later when O’Neil received the ball 30 metres out and scored in the corner.

Upton’s fifth try came when Pimlow chipped over the defence and caught his kick and raced in from 40 metres.