"As for punching up .....well if i were a better pilot and had 100,s hours instrument then i agree but for me i think it would be a death sentence and would rather put it down on a hill or into trees and write it off if there were no other way out."
Agreed.
However. My posting was purely mentioned in the context of real life situations I have found myself in, which in the prevailing circumstances "punching up" was a far better option than putting it in a tree. For they were the only 2 remaining choices. To have put it in a tree they would never have found me (8/8th remote mountainous jungle with 200+ foot canopy), and I would be dead.
I am no stranger to IFR, but in properly equipped helicopters. So taking a punt on "punching up" in a VFR helicopter and flying it for 30 minutes in the gloop, which is not a very comfortably feeling I might add, proved to be the better option. Because I lived, and learned from the experience. But again, I re-iterate, it is an option of absolute last resort and should not be attempted by anyone with limited IFR experience. Otherwise, put it in the tree as Nigels suggests and take your chances.
Edit: And I agree also with Nigel that IF flying practice/training solely under the hood, does not prepare you adequately for flying in cloud.