Hawks Away to Raiders in Worthing
This week, Henley Hawks travel to the south coast to take on old rivals Worthing Raiders in their latest National 2 (E) fixture. Kick off at Worthing’s Roundstone Lane Ground in Angmering is at the earlier time of 2.00pm.
The Hawks will be looking to put the disappointment of last week’s Blackheath result behind them as they head to Worthing. The Hawks did show that they have the commitment and intensity to challenge any team in the league and will be looking to add some creativity into their play so that they can take the try scoring chances.
The Hawks have slipped to sixth in the table but other results last week went in their favour and they are just five points behind the league leaders, Blackheath. Tonbridge Juddian beat high flying Barnes 35-22 while Old Albanian lost at home to Dorking who are now second. There were also wins for Bury St Edmunds,
The Raiders, with the Hawks, were one of the teams tipped to challenge for honours at the start of the season, but like the Hawks, have not managed to find consistency yet this season. Both teams have won five of their eight fixtures to date with Worthing in fourth place, two points ahead of the Hawks. Last week, in the Channel Islands, Worthing went down 36-31 to Guernsey.
Despite Worthing losing last week, the Hawks will not find it easy on the south coast. As well as a few victories in the last few seasons, there also have been a number of heavy defeats but the games at Worthing always seem to be high scoring affairs. Last season the Raiders won 57-26 in Sussex but the Hawks won at Dry Leas 43-26.
Head coach has made just three changes to this weeks starting line up at Worthing. In the backs, James Davies returns to the centre and Kaspar Strugar comes in on the wing in place of Rhyan Scott-Young.
There is just one change in the pack with Scott White returning to the back row in place of Tom Hall who reverts to the bench. Omar Elleboudey and Guy Rawsthorn also come in as replacements.
15 Ryan Crowley, 14 Reuben Norville, 13 James Davies, 12 Louis Flynn 11 Kasper Strugar,
10 Max Titchener, 9 Will Crow
1 Dave Manning (c), 2 Tom Emery, 3 Rory Mason, 4 Marcus Lowe, 5 Sam Lunnon, 6 Scott White, 7 Tom Vooght, 8 Alex Bradley
Reps: 16 Luke Shpylka , 17 Morgan Macrae , 18 Tom Hall, 19 Omar Ellaboudey, 20 Guy Rawsthorn
The Henley Bulls (2nd XV) also travel to Worthing to take on the Worthing 2nd XV. Kick off is slightly earlier at 1.30pm.
The Henley Vikings (3rd XV) play their latest league game at home in a local derby against Maidenhead 3rd. Kick off is 2.30 (tbc).
The Henley Hawks Women play a league game on Sunday. They are away to Thurrock, kick off is 2.30pm.
