Grimsby 12 Syston 24
Grimsby Rugby Club's first XV put up a plucky and spirited performance, before running out of gas against high-flying Syston at Springfield Road. Grimsby were leading 12-7 at the break but the mounting territorial pressure from the visitors told as they jumped to second in the Midlands Three East (North) table with a 24-12 victory.
After a bright start, there was an early setback for Grimsby when a swift breakaway try saw Syston open the scoring. But after the conversion soared over to make it 7-0, the Blacks woke up and penned Syston back. Busy number eight Mike Newman called for the ball from deep and powered over to touch down under the posts. A tight and tense first half saw a sin-binning from each side as tempers began to boil. On the half hour, Grimsby centre Shane Lowery tied up two Syston backs and off-loaded to fly half debutant Roger Berryman. He shipped the ball to full-back Darren Daly who put winger Dan Evans in for his first try of the season.
While the break halted the home side's momentum, it allowed Syston to recharge and they upped their game at the restart. With tough tackling and resolute defence the home side held them out time and time again. Eventually the defence was breached and Syston scored a push-over try in the left corner. Five minutes later a slick back move from Syston brought the full back into the line. He went round the centres leaving Evans two-on-one, before releasing the left winger. Full-back Daly's cover tackle could not prevent another score. And when Daly was later sin-binned for a supposed trip, Syston made use of the space behind with a barrage of chip kicks for Evans to deal with. He was slow on the turn for one, allowing the left wing to score his second try of the game. Grimsby are propping up the table, but it is not all dark clouds over Springfield Road.
Of the three league games lost so far, they should have won two and could have won the other, sparking hope that a victory is just around the corner
The Pavilion, Springfield Road, Scartho, Grimsby, NE Lincs, DN33 3JF