Syston and Vipers celebrated County Cup victory at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, home of the Leicester Tigers, on Tuesday evening.
Kick-off in the senior men’s final followed a minute’s silence in tribute to members of the county rugby community lost since the last opportunity to host these finals at the home of the Tigers before the pandemic.
It was Syston who got their hands on the Paul Green Cup, renamed this season in honour of the former Leicestershire RU executive committee member and Hinckley RFC stalwart, after a 35-14 win over Lutterworth.
They quickly took a 10-point lead with a try from hooker Craig Lockington and kicks from Finlay Nockles but, after adding a penalty, rivals Lutterworth came back with a converted score just before half-time to provide hope of a fightback.
Full-back Justin Trombas scored the try out wide on the left and Harry Read added a smart conversion from the touchline in the last action of the half to cut the gap to 13-7.
Lutts went in front for the first time early in the second half when Read converted a try from wing Andy Greasley, giving them a one-point advantage, but a penalty from Nockles gave Syston the lead again at 16-14 and they built on that in the closing 15 minutes, increasing the advantage when Nockles converted a well-worked try for Samuel Read.
The forwards then added two telling blows with a drive from a lineout which took them fully 25 metres to the tryline and a second from closer in for the final points of the evening.
Vipers lifted the Laurence Fenton Under-18 Cup with 25-5 victory over Hinckley.
They led 15-0 at half-time after coming through some early pressure against Hinckley to claim scores through forwards Tom Woodward and Max Humphreys, with fly-half Tyler James adding a conversion and penalty.
James added a penalty in the second half before Hinckley scored through Frankie Fountaine, but the side from the south of the city had the final word with a converted score from Adam Painter to prompt celebrations among their sizeable and vocal support.
Leicestershire RU president Barbara Crellin led the presentation party, which also included recognition for the Merit Table winners Sutton Bonington, Market Harborough 2nds, Anstey and Syston 4ths.
