UPTON entertained Brackley from the East Midlands in the first round of the National Junior Vase and wrapped up an impressive 58-0 victory.

After a good start in the league, Upton went into their first home game of the season missing key players in fly-half Matt Cock, number eight Chris O’Neil and both second rows Matt Bookham and Charlie Abbey.

However, they were buoyed by the return to action of Andy Ford and Harry Stokes after their cricket seasons as well as a debut for Will Dovey.

But things were hampered before kick-off when Rob Heeley was forced to sit on the bench with a stomach virus.

The game didn’t start well for Upton as at the first scrum John Willis popped his back and Heeley was called straight in to play the majority of the match. It was clear from early on that Upton were the stronger side but may have affected their play as one too many passes went to ground.

However, they soon found the try-line and scored four before half-time through full-back Alex Flower, centre George Ainge and number eight Matt Dunwell (2). With no kicker all four conversions were missed.

The second-half saw Upton able to make changes with Shane McKenzie coming on in the back row, second team captain Simon Nash in the front row and Will Dovey in the centres.

This did not stunt Upton’s attacking spirit and they scored six second-half tries. Dunwell completed his hat-trick to cap a man-of-the-match display, as well as tries for Frankie Bent, Sam Buck, Nath Tomkins, Dave Humphries and a penalty try.

Upton did manage four conversions with Heeley kicking two and Humphries and Bent converting their own tries.

In the absence of Matt Bookham as skipper, young scrum-half James Gammond led the side and played superbly around the fringes and the breakdown to set up the Upton loose forwards and backs.