Hawks to Face Long Time Rivals Redruth
Henley Hawks have a mouth watering clash at Dry Leas tomorrow (Saturday) with Cornish side, Redruth, the visitors to Dry Leas for their latest National 2 (South) fixture. Kick off is 3pm.
Redruth have been the pace setters for much of the season so far and came into the new year as league leaders, but they surprisingly lost at home last week to Barnes in what was described as ‘very muddy conditions’. However, the Cornish side are long time rivals of the Hawks and the game on Saturday promises to be another committed battle. Like the Hawks, Redruth have been challenging at the top end of the table for a number of campaigns and finished third, one place above the Hawks in the unfinished 2019-20 season. The game at Dry Leas that season finished in a 20-20 draw.
The Hawks did what was needed at Hinckley last week, taking maximum points from a hard earned 29-27 victory against a side who had beaten them earlier in the season. The Hawks were ahead 26-6 with half an hour left but the home side came back and could have snatched a win in the last minute but their penalty attempt was missed. Having said that, the Hawks will be pleased to start the year with a win which puts them right in the mix at the top end of the table.
Amongst the Henley scorers last week was Reuben Norville who crossed for his tenth try of the season so far. Full back Cail Cookland keeps the Hawks scoreboard ticking over with his reliable goal kicking and added two conversions and a penalty to his points tally. There were some late withdrawals from the forwards last week due to Covid but the coaches will be pleased that the depth in the squad provided enough cover for the Hawks to get the victory.
With Redruth losing top spot in the league after their defeat to Barnes, Clifton have taken over as league leaders after a 40-22 victory over Leicester Lions. They are a point ahead of Esher who beat Dings Crusaders 37-32. Redruth are one point behind Esher and Worthing are fourth after a good away win at Bury St Edmunds. The Hawks are fifth, one point behind Worthing, but there are now only six points separating the top five sides and with games against Clifton, Redruth (away) and Esher in the next few weeks, Henley have all to play for.
Elsewhere this weekend, the Henley Vikings (3rd XV) have an enticing local derby, away at Marlow 3rd XV. Kick off, also to be confirmed is 2pm.
On Sunday, the Henley Hawks Women have an away league game at Hove RFC. Kick off is 2pm.
Henley Hawks side to face Redruth tomorrow;
1. Charlie Hughes, 2. Tom Emery, 3. Olly Frostick, 4. Jake Albon (c), 21. Ben Harrison, 6. Sam Lunnon, 7. Tom Hall, 8. Marcus Lowe, 9. Will Crow, 10. Monty Bradbury, 11. Rhyan Scott-Young, 12. George Amphlett, 13. Alex Harmes, 14. Reuben Norville, 15. Guy Rawsthorn
Replacements: 16. George Probyn, 17. Rory Mason, 18. Scott White, 19. Ross Lewis, 20. Samson Adejimi
