Hawks Face Tough Encounter With Redruth
After victory over Westcliff last week, Henley Hawks head west on Saturday (tomorrow), to Cornwall to take on old rivals Redruth in their latest National 2 (South) fixture. Kick off at Redruth’s Recreation Ground is 2pm.
The Hawks scored some good tries last week against Westcliff, including two for Reuben Norville, taking his tally for the season to twelve.
Despite nearly scoring fifty points, the Hawks didn’t really fire on all cylinders last week, but then they didn’t have to, and as spirited as Westcliff were, Henley were always in control of the game.
This week will be a totally different proposition as they head into the heartland of Cornish rugby and all the passion that goes with it.
It was only three weeks ago that the Cornish side visited Dry Leas and the two teams fought out a 21-21 draw so tomorrow’s clash promises to be another tough encounter that both teams will need a victory from.
With their famous ‘Hellfire Corner’, Redruth is a tough place to go and they will bring their own brand of uncompromising Cornish rugby built around a strong pack of forwards, and in front of their own vociferous crowd, this will be a major test for the Hawks.
Redruth topped the table for most of the season up until Christmas and despite dropping points at home to Barnes, they are still right in the mix for promotion, lying in third place just four points behind the leaders. Last week the Cornish side produced a good away win, 28-21, at Old Albanian, not an easy place to visit.
Clifton stay top after a 28-15 win at Hinckley, while Esher are still second having won a hard fought local derby at Barnes 16-6. Worthing are still fourth after beating Rochford Hundred. There were also wins for Bury St Edmunds and Dings Crusaders.
Of the top five teams, only Esher failed to get a bonus point last week but they are only one point behind Clifton and have two games in hand. The Hawks are now in fifth place, thirteen points behind Clifton.
Elsewhere, the only other team in action this weekend are the Henley Hawks Women who have a league game on Sunday away at Blackheath RFC. Kick off is 2.00pm.
