Syston RFC bounce back to win Leicestershire County Cup

A stunning first half display proved decisive as they beat National League side South Leicester 30-15 at Welford Road.

But the triumph – thanks to two tries from Simon Francis and scores from Ian Smith and Adam Davey – added salt to the wound of failing to win promotion to the National League ranks.

Syston completed their league programme on Saturday in belligerent mood, demolishing Dunstablians 97-3 to take their points haul to a staggering 180 in two games.

They currently lie top of Midlands One East, but are likely to drop to third and out of the promotion places if Old Northamptonians and Scunthorpe win their games in hand, both at second-bottom Stewarts and Lloyds.

Coach Chris Tarbuck was delighted to win some silverware, but left wondering what might have been: "I think we played with a bit more passion than South Leicester and had more about us.

"We outscored them four tries to two and even with another 10 points on top of that, I don't think South would have complained.

"But the season as a whole was pretty disappointing. The margins were small and we lost two games with the last kick of the game. If we had won either of those we would already be celebrating promotion."

Syston lost just five games out of 26 and had the tightest defence in the league, but a last gasp defeat at Paviors and a two-point defeat at Derby last month, where they missed a match-winning kick in the dying seconds, would prove costly turning points.

The club is in excellent shape for the future with the Colts set to host Richmond in the National Colts Plate Semi-final this weekend fresh from drawing their county cup final.

But in the immediate future it could be a long summer for Tarbuck and his men as they wait to unleash their latest bid to reach the national leagues.

Tarbuck said: "We know on our day we are good enough to play in the league above, but the league table doesn't lie.

"It is a strong, strong league, but I think we lost promotion rather than other teams beating us to it."