Hawks to Take on High Flying Esher

Henley Hawks have another tough away fixture in National 2 (South) on Saturday when they make the short trip to the West London suburbs to take on high flying Esher RFC. Kick off at Esher’s Molesey Road Ground in Hersham is 3pm.

Defeat at Redruth last week means that any promotion ambitions the Hawks had beforehand, have now all but disappeared. Henley are still fifth but are now some sixteen points behind Esher who have now taken over at the top of the table after beating Guernsey 27-24 last week. Although Clifton and Worthing didn’t play last week, the top four teams are all winning regularly whereas the Hawks have lost two of their last three games, both against top four sides.

Despite some late enforced changes to the starting line up at Redruth last week, the Hawks tried to play their brand of open rugby. They managed to score three tries through Tom Emery, Guy Rawsthorn and Alex Harmes and there was a good debut for Josh Macco in the front row. However, Redruth proved to be too strong in the end.

Elsewhere in the league last week, Westcliff recorded their first victory of the season against Barnstaple, while there were also wins for Bury St Edmunds and Leicester Lions.

This weeks clash with Esher is made all the more harder as Esher have now become the league leaders and the team to beat. Although they have had a few games postponed, they have won their last twelve matches and have not lost since the Hawks comfortably beat them at the beginning of October at Dry Leas by 31-21. The Hawks are capable of beating any side on their day and should be optimistic for their trip to West London.

Today (Friday 11 Feb), the Henley Hawks Women have a friendly match under the lights at Dry Leas. They take on an RAF WOMEN’S XV. Kick off is 7.30pm.

On Saturday, as well as the Hawks, the Henley Bulls (2ndXV) take on Chinnor 2nd in a friendly, kick off is 2.30pm.

Table topping Henley Vikings (3rdXV) have an away league game at Tadley on Saturday. Kick off is also 2.30pm.

Henley Hawks side to face Esher tomorrow;

1. Brad Cook, 2. Tom Emery, 3. Rory Mason, 4. Jake Albon (c), 21. Ben Harrison, 6. Sam Lunnon, 7. Tom Hall, 8. Alex Bradley, 9. Will Crow, 10. Monty Bradbury, 11. George Wood, 12. James Davies, 13. Alex Harmes, 14. Reuben Norville, 15. Guy Rawsthorn

Replacements: 16. Josh Macco, 17. Samson Adejimi, 18. Marcus Lowe, 19. Toby Gilbey, 20. Cail Cookland