Upton ran out winners against spirited Vikings without ever really hitting top gear

It was a tight affair for the first 20 mins as both defence's held the upper hand Upton forward pack Scott Boughen Stuart James Alan Thomson lead by Matt Steadman made some tough yards early on as they took the game to the Vikings. Player coach Mark Tepper was correctly ruled in touch as he dived over in the corner as Upton tried to get on the score sheet.

When the Vikings pressed Nathan Kirby Ross Johnson and Dave Backhouse dealt well with probing kicks Steve Beal twice took the ball off the Vikings attackers snuffing out all threats.

Upton took the lead after Steve Frogatt made a good break from his own half getting to within 20 yards of the line smart play from hooker Liam Harnell saw him tackled on the line Johnson seized his chance diving over next to the posts Beal added the two 0 - 6

Upton then suffered a blow as Nick Welsh who was making great yards got injured and had to leave the field not returning.

Ross Burrows and Alex Copcutt carried on the forwards work but also started to put in some big hits as they slowed the Vikings forwards.

Upton finished the half on top and extended the lead after another Frogatt break Johnson carried it on Harnell got the ball out wide to Beal who hit the on rushing Steadman with a short pass and he burst over the line to the side of the posts Beal kicked the two 0 - 12. half time.

Upton started the second period sloppily giving away a number of penalties the Vikings made them pay as they scored out wide but were unable to convert 4 - 12

Harnell Beal and youngster Jimmy Mercer started to combine and probe the Vikings defence this saw Frogatt hit a gap he passed to Beal who got the ball to Harnell who made a decisive break and while being tackled he smartly offloaded to Thomson who ran away from the scrambling defenders to score halfway between the posts and corner Beal added the extras 4 - 18

Upton carried on pressing Harry Stevens taking the ball up well Danny Binns started to stretch the line Burrows Boughen Steadman just kept coming for the ball battering away

and it paid of as Upton scored a great team try with most of the team getting their hands on the ball taking the Vikings from one side of the pitch to the other before Frogatt off loaded back on the inside to the speedy Johnson who broke the line to touchdown behind the posts untouched Beal converted 4 - 24.

The Vikings pulled back another try wide out but couldn't convert as again Upton gave away penalties but for the first time in the game missed some tackles 8 - 24

and the fizzled out and ended but not before one player from each side saw red in what had generally been a good tempered game

Upton's M.O.M went to Ross Burrows with a number of other outstanding performances.

Upton ARLFC

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