UPTON still need at least a point to be sure of avoiding relegation from Midlands Three West (South).

But the losing bonus point they gained from a 21-19 home loss to Old Wheatleyans may have just about secured their survival.

In only their second home game since Christmas, Upton missed the suspended Rob Heeley and unavailable Matt Glading in the front row.

If their scrum had been tighter, Upton may have won the game.

Despite claiming almost no scrum ball, Upton still matched Old Wheats with three tries each and only a missed conversion separated the teams.

Upton went ahead after two minutes when Alex Pimlow intercepted on halfway and raced in to score with Chris O’Neil converting.

Old Wheats struggled to break down the defensive skills of Max Macfarlane, Matt Dunwell, Oli Jones and player-coach Stuart Brooks.

But they levelled when, after a number of phases, their centre scythed through from five metres.

Old Wheats took the lead on half-time after sucking in Upton’s defence and hitting the blind side.

Upton threw everything at their visitors in the second period and full-back Dan Aldersey popped to winger George Ainge, who scored under the posts.

O’Neil converted to make it 14-14 but Daz Cahill was sin-binned for pulling a line-out down and Old Wheats capitalised with a converted try.

However, Upton kept going and drove a catch-and-drive line-out over with Brooks scooting down the blind side to score.

But O’Neil missed the conversion from wide out into the wind and they could not find any more points.

Fifth-from-bottom Upton host Cheltenham North on Saturday and local rivals Ledbury the following weekend.