Syston Sizzler

Syston made good use of their forward strength in the opening exchanges and were rewarded with an early penalty. This pattern of play resulted in the visitors gaining most of the possession and Harborough had to live off scraps.

In a rare counter attack Harborough backs out flanked Syston and Aaron Lyle showed a clean pair of heels on the right hand touchline to score the afternoon's first try. Callum Blair kicked the conversion.

Blair started to control the game but was charged into whilst clearing the ball and had to leave the pitch. Syston continued to roll the ball up through their forwards and put Harborough under severe pressure. However, on a day when half a dozen players could put their hand up for man of the match, the home team stood firm. Lee Butler and 'Pistol Pete' Wilson tackled and carried in equal measure.

Dan Carter, who had a fine game, broke clear and weaved around the Syston defence. An infringement close to Syston's posts saw Josh Haynes slot over a penalty. Harborough's backs began to get into the game and Charlie Stanley, Harry Hurst and Andrew Jarvis showed good handling skills. With an injury forcing Sam Hiner off, Rob Brownlee, always combative, moved into the backrow. Harborough led 10-3 at half time.

Syston continued to drive into Harborough's defence and were always dangerous in the forward exchanges. Josh Haynes extended Harborough's lead to 13-3 with another penalty. The home team's discipline and the referee's patience finally snapped. The first of four yellow cards meant Harborough effectively played the whole of the second half with 14 men. The penalties varied from kicking the ball away to various offside infringements.

Syston made use of their superior numbers and imposed themselves on the game, drawing level at 13-13. Harborough were in danger of letting the game slip until Aaron Lyle went on a barnstorming run to score a fine solo try. Josh Haynes added the conversion.

Although Harborough led the game 20-13, Syston always threatened and went close to scoring on several occasions. The game looked like it was going down to the wire when a bizarre score settled the game for Harborough. Josh Haynes pulled a penalty kick wide, a Syston player went to trap the ball with his foot behind the try line; to the visitors dismay the ball ballooned into the air and Jamie Thorpe who was following up pounced on the loose ball to score. The impressive Haynes converted and Harborough led 27-13.

Syston scored with the last play of the match to leave the final result Harbrough 27- Syston 20