UPTON maintained their promotion challenge with a hard-fought 29-12 victory at mid-table Kings Norton in Midlands Four West (South).

The Worcestershire side remain second in the table and host high-flying leaders Manor Park in a mouth-watering clash on Saturday (2.15pm).

Manor Park have won all 14 league matches this term.

Upton were without the experienced Chris O’Neil and Matthew Cock and fielded a young side with Harry Stokes moving to number eight.

Kings won the toss and gave Upton the wind and slope advantage in the first half with the intention of tiring them out. But it was a decision which backfired for the hosts.

Fly half Oli Swift pinned back the hosts and, after Upton were awarded a 10-metre penalty, second row Andy Ford collected a quick tap from James Gammond. Swift’s conversion put Upton 7-0 ahead.

However, Kings gained the upper hand in the scrum and drove over the visitors’ line for a converted try to level the scores at 7-7.

Adam Jones came off the bench to beef up the front row and Upton suddenly started to get the edge in the pack.

Wingers Martin Muleko and Josh Finch put their opposite numbers under pressure and Upton grabbed a second try, Gammond picking up from the base of a ruck and scooting down the blind-side. Swift converted.

Gammond scored Upton’s third try after Stokes was held up just short of the line.

He gathered to touch the ball against the base of a post and Swift’s conversion fired Upton into a 21-7 interval advantage.

After the break, Upton extended their lead with a fine bonus-point clinching try from Finch, who started and finished a move involving Dan Aldersey and Will Dovey.

Upton used all of their replacements as the game was won and Kings drove over for their second try.