UPTON began their Midlands Three West (South) campaign with a strong performance to clinch a 36-10 home win over Cheltenham North —a side they lost to twice last season.

Upton had to dig deep into their squad with no fewer than 10 regulars unavailable. However, it was the speedy Alex Pimlow who set them on course for victory.

After weathering North’s early power surge, Upton were awarded a penalty just inside their own half and Pimlow tapped and beat numerous would-be tacklers before racing in from 60 metres to score under the posts. Chris O’Neil converted.

The veteran scrum-half soon made it two, pouncing on the ball in midfield before crossing the line.

North kept coming at Upton using their big mobile pack to burst holes in the home defence but with the back row of Dan Hart, Nathan Tomkins and O’Neil in fine form they struggled to find the killer pass.

After spinning the ball wide 10 metres out North once again dropped it in midfield and this time Martin Muleko picked up the loose ball and outsprinted the defence from to score. O’Neil converted.

Cheltenham did manage to sneak a score before half-time as Upton led 19-5.

Upton managed to sneak a fourth bonus point try when Oli Jones was on hand to pick up and sneak over and a fifth try was soon on the scoreboard when the backs broke blind and fly-half Ollie Cooke put Muleko.

North got a second try to reduce arrears, but Upton made it six when O’Neil scored a converted try.