IN near perfect rugby playing conditions, the venerable members of these two local clubs took to the field at Bromyard.

BROMYARD VETERANS 5pts, UPTON VETERANS 12pts

Upton arrived a player short and in a fine sporting gesture Bromyard loaned Upton a player from their squad. An evenly contested game resulted in a half time score of nil each.

In the second half Upton scored first when mesmerising inter-passing between players resulted in a try for fly half Riley, who was unfortunate to miss the conversion.

Whilst Upton had the better in some of the loose play, Bromyard's powerful forwards dominated the scrums. Bromyard soon hit back from deep inside their half when centre Gaston broke through the Upton defences and won the kick and chase to the line. The conversion kick was missed, tying the scores into the last quarter.

Upton attacked from the restart and from a maul inside the Bromyard half a precision kick behind the home side's defence enabled the Upton winger to pick up the ball and score a converted try. Although Bromyard went on to valiantly attack the Upton line the score held until the final whistle.

The match was refereed and played in the finest traditions of the game producing a style of play that was more real ale than champagne rugby.

The eagerly awaited rematch will be played at Upton in February.