Having been beaten 36:5 at home in the first leg and struggling for numbers, great credit to the Syston lads for fronting up in what was always going to be a challenge to overcome a strong Harborough side on their own patch.
It wasn’t long before it got harder still, with Harry Slaughter intercepting an attempted clearance kick to score his first, soon followed by two more tries in the quickest hat-trick of the season, all converted by George Williams for an early 21:0 lead. Will Leebrook added the fourth soon after and Ellis Hepworth intercepted a pass in midfield to race through to score. It looked like his season was over as he fell afterwards clutching his hamstring. Billy Ward added the 6th for a 42:0 halftime lead.
In the second half a breakaway run from Kai Harley saw him pass to Toby Gower to score out wide, with a magnificent conversion from Charlie Smith who had taken over kicking duties.
Jamie Trinder had a score chalked off for a knock on but made no mistake soon after.
With a recovery to rival Lazarus, Hepworth also returned to the field!
To their credit Syston heads didn’t drop and they got on the score sheet with a score in the corner.
Ali Kamal got the final try.
It was a windy day where kicking conversions was meant to be difficult, yet both Williams and Smith had slotted them all. The crowd held their breath as hooker Kai Harley stepped up for the final kick. Undoubtedly it was ugly but it went over and sealed a 9 try performance 63:5 and a place in the final.