The Union Pines wrestling team improved to 3-2 in the Cape Fear Valley Conference with a 40-37 home victory over Southern Lee Tuesday evening.

James Smearman (103 pounds), Tony Fernandez (135), Joey Beck (160) and Derrell Pate (171) recorded pins for the Vikings and Billy Talley (119) won by a major decision.

Sean Foran (112) and Dan King picked up six points via forfeits.

The happiest Viking of the night was Talley who was seeing his first action since December because of a shoulder injury. The junior went right to work in the 119-pound bout, getting a take-down in the first 15 seconds. He went on to earn a 10-2 major decision.

"Billy looked like a rooster jumping around because he was so glad to be back," Viking coach Matt Ragsdale said. "Afterward he had that perma-smile you can't hide. It was one of those good moments in coaching."

The Vikings wrestled Overhills on Thursday and complete the conference regular season with a home match against Harnett Central next Tuesday.

The two conference losses for the defending conference regular season and tournament champions were by 11 points to South Johnston and by three to Gray's Creek.

"We win a lot of close matches and we lose a lot of close matches," Ragsdale said "Our goal is to win the conference tournament and keep the banners going."

Union Pines 40, Southern Lee 37

103 - James Smearman (UP) pinned Thornton 3:34; 112 - Sean Foran (UP) forfeit; 119 - Billy Talley (UP) major decision Bunnell 10-2; 125 - Pillington (SL) pinned Zeb Bullock 1:15; 130- Haire (SL) pinned Sean Brennan :23; 135 - Tony Fernandez (UP) pinned Boyette :22; 140 - Williams (SL) pinned Doug Roach 1:26; 145 - Haire (SL) decision Aaron Breasseale 5-1; 152 - Nicholson (SL) pinned Tyler Crowley 2:38; 160 - Joey Beck (UP) pinned Thomas :45; 171 - Derrell Pate (UP) pinned Pauis 2:15; 189 - DeBrow (SL) decision Kaleb Rierson 10-2; 215 - McClain (SL) pinned Nick Capps 2:25; 285 - Dan King (UP) forfeit.