Despite cruising on a 24 to nil lead, Scunthorpe RUFC nearly contrived to give victory over Syston away on a welcome return to rugby after the enforced weather break.

The opening 20 minutes were very much tit for tat with neither side gaining any ascendency.

On 26 minutes, Tom Foster showed why he is second in the league try scoring list when he scored a great individual try. It came from a scrum and, after two phases, the skipper and outside half saw a gap and surged through using his pace to score in the corner. Chris Neal missed narrowly from wide out to gain the extra two points.

Two minutes later, Scunthorpe nearly scored again when Foster, now causing havoc with his strong running from fly half, broke the line to feed Olly Wood. The young centre made valuable ground to feed Rewiti Vaimoso who powered through, only to be bundled into touch a metre short of the line.

From the ensuing line out, Syston threw long and an alert Phil Jepson stole the ball. The forwards drove into midfield and then a quick recycled ball left Callum Davies with acres of space to stroll under the posts. Neal converted and the Greens were now 12 nil up.

On 36 minutes Rewiti Vaimoso scored his customary try from 40 metres with a devastating run mixing power and skill to score for another Chris Neal converted try.

As half time came, Scunthorpe were extremely confident of claiming the try bonus and the game with consummate ease.

Five minutes after the restart, Tom Foster scored his second try to earn that extra bonus point. Playing into a strong wind meant that kicking options were limited.

From a scrum in their own 22, Foster decided to run the ball which found its way to Vaimoso who burst through the opposition leaving would be tacklers in his wake only to be held up in the visitors' 22.

Chris Neal was in support and the ball was retained only to find the initiator of the move Foster to score the try.

At 24 nil it looked as though the home side were going to go on and get the half century.

However, the opposition had other ideas. Scunthorpe gave away far too many penalties and Syston were only ever going to threaten by counter attacking, which they did with aplomb.

Richard Tomlinson replaced Matt Probert in the front row and, shortly after, Alan Neal made a welcome return to the first team at scrum half.

Jake Goodison also came on in the centre for Phil Jepson with Callum Davies reverting to his normal berth in the back row.

Syston scored three very quick tries in eight minutes from classy centre Brendan Coles, full back Craig Hewitt and scrum half Alex Cavner. Fly half Ian Smith managed to convert one of the tries.

Thankfully the Greens reclaimed some possession and managed to nullify the attacking strength of Syston and hang for what was, in the end, a closer than expected but well-earned five points.

The Fallen Hero man of the match went again to Oliver Wood with an impressive display at centre.