TRAILING by 11 points with five minutes to go, few supporters at Heslam Park could have envisaged Scunthorpe RUFC avoiding a disappointing opening-day defeat to Kenliworth.

Yet a dramatic last-minute try from skipper Tom Foster sparked joyous celebrations amongst the home crowd, as the Greens pulled off a remarkable victory.

Tim Robinson's side were not champions of Midlands One East last reason for no reason and they once again showed their spirit and dogged determination to rescue the win.

Scunthorpe were making their return to National Three Midlands against a re-jigged Kenilworth side, who had made many new signings on and off the pitch after a disappointing mid-table finish last season.

And the Greens were soon being shown the difference in standard that they will have to match this season.

It was the home side who drew first blood though.

The visitors made a slow start and soon saw the pace of Chris Neal and James Wade zooming past them to score the opening try.

A neat one-two by the pair saw Neal offload back to Wade just as he looked like he was going to be tackled into touch, to see Wade go over with ease.

But Scunthorpe kicking star Mark Woollard, who made such a huge impression last season as the division's top scorer, scuffed the conversion from out wide though and the Greens had to settle for a 5-0 lead after three minutes.

The youngster would very much still have a vital part to play in the game however, on an up and down afternoon for the fly-half.

In the seventh minute full-back Neal went close to doubling Scunthorpe's early lead.

A clever long pass out wide to the left from Foster saw Neal catch the ball well with the line gaping.

But opposition winger Jed Boyle tackled Neal into touch just a couple yards short of glory.

The Greens looked like they had the measure of Kenilworth in the early stages and were looking on course for a comfortable afternoon.

But their visitors got their act together in the 12th minute when an all-too-easy try from full-back Dave Clements brought them level.

The lightning fast back streaked clear down the left with too few green shirts in attendance.

Joss Andrews missed the conversion, so the score rested at 5-5.

Woollard nudged the Greens 8-5 ahead with a penalty before Andrews again missed the posts in the 17th minute with a relatively easy penalty of his own.

A lovely spread pass wide to Foster on the right looked like it was going to see Scunthorpe increase their lead.

Foster chipped through and along with Chris Neal hared into the box looking for the chance to touch down. But a kind bounce allowed Clements to do so instead though.

Woollard wasted a penalty in the 30th minute and Scunthorpe were soon made to pay for it.

Adam Canning went over wide left for Kenilworth as another try was ran in with too little resistance for the visitors to take a 10-8 lead.

Andrews again missed the extra, letting the Greens off the hook, at least temporarily.

Almost straight away Kenilworth extended their lead.

A long kick forward bounced awkwardly for Chris Neal and managed to evade him just long enough for Mike Rust to catch up and poke the ball forwards.

The winger then continued his momentum to dive on the loose ball and put his side in the ascendancy.

Andrews this time added the extras and all off a sudden the game had a very different look to it with the score at 17-8 to Kenilworth.

Injuries then threatened to make things worse for the home side.

Paul Sewell required some lengthy treatment on his troublesome back and eventually had to make way for Scott Taylor.

And ever-influential winger Woody Vaimoso looked to be in trouble with a heavily bandaged knee.

The Kiwi appeared to be struggling at times when hobbling around, particularly when one tackle clearly was aimed at taking him out at his bad knee.

But once the ball was in his hands, he seemed to forget about any pain, and his powerful running was as dangerous as ever as he brought his side back into the game.

When Kenilworth had wasted a scrum Vaimoso thundered across the pitch, skipping past several tackles as if they weren't there before finally setting Foster away on the left.

The skipper had few problems running the remaining 40 yards to touch down and, with Woollard converting simply, bring the score back to 17-15.

After the break Kenilworth looked firmly in control, keeping the Greens pinned in their own half with sustained pressure.

They added to their lead when a bruising run from Boyle allowed Clements to dive over and Andrews added the extra points for 24-15.

An incredible run from Vaimoso electrified the home crowd two minutes later, the winger somehow managing to run half the pitch, slipping through numerous tackles and finally being stopped by a high tackle.

Woollard kicked the resulting penalty to bring the score back to 18-24.

But Clements grabbed his third try of the afternoon to open up an 11-point lead again for the visitors, benefiting from a quality scissors move by Andrews and Rust.

Roared on by a hopeful home crowd, Scunthorpe had their backs against the wall and were staring firmly down the barrel of a defeat.

But a fantastic rolling maul from the forwards battered its way to a fine try to ignite a tense finish.

Al Fagan managed to get the ball down and Woollard converted to bring the score to 25-29.

A debatable try restored Kenilworth's 11-point lead in the 75th minute, Boyle going over but with Clements seemingly taking Foster and Vaimoso out of play with an errant run.

Andrews found his range with the kick and Kenilworth were looking certain winners at 36-25 ahead.

The Greens are made of sterner stuff than that though.

With four minutes remaining Chris Neal charged onto a kick through to dive spectacularly for a crucial try.

Woollard converted and all of a sudden the Greens were going gung ho to try and turn around the four-point deficit at 32-36.

And it came in pure theatre, with a vociferous home support roaring their boys forward.

A good three minutes of hectic work from the pack just short of the line could not manage to force the ball over, with the 80 minutes up and a mistake not possible.

But the ball popped out and Woollard, who had suffered a shaky afternoon of passing, pulled off a cracking looped ball across to Foster on the left.

The centre sidestepped the final two defenders and blasted his way through to the line to send Heslam Park into raptures.

Woollard coolly added his 14th points of the afternoon with the conversion, proving what a crucial weapon his right boot will once again be this season, to seal a quite brilliant 39-36 triumph.

It was fitting that Foster had scored the crucial try as the Scunthorpe skipper had put in a man of the match display at the heart of the difficult game.

Some tough tackling and determined running truly led the charge for his side and his late try sparked a wave of celebration among his relieved team mates.

They may have been slightly fortunate to win the game, but with the late drama making for a grandstand finish, there were no Scunthorpe fans who gave a care.