Hawks Travel to Tonbridge

Henley Hawks are on their travels again this week as they travel to Kent to take on Tonbridge Juddians RFC in their latest National 2 East fixture. Kick off at the Slade Ground in Tonbridge is 2.30pm.

For the Hawks, their first home game of the new year against North Walsham was postponed last week due to the frozen Dry Leas pitch. The season is in danger of becoming a little disjointed. The Hawks have not played at home since 3 December, and have only played twice since then, away at Guernsey and Barnes. Next weekend (4 February), is another rest week, so the first home game of 2023 is on 11 February when Old Albanian will be the visitors.

Saturday’s visit to Kent gives the Hawks a good opportunity to get back to winning ways and get amongst the challenging teams at the top of the league. Although most of the league programme was postponed last weekend, there were two matches, one of which involved TJ’s. They travelled to the Channel Islands but lost 25-14 to Guernsey. The Kent side are currently sixth, one place and three points above the Hawks and in the fixture at Dry Leas back in October, Henley won 23-10.

Games between Henley and TJ’s are often close affairs and the Hawks won’t have it all their own way, as the Kent side are always a useful, well drilled outfit.

Last season, TJ’s played in National League 1 (the highest level in the clubs history) but finished bottom and have hence been relegated back to National 2. They, like the Hawks, have been a bit inconsistent this season and it promises to be another tight game.

Luke Allen has named a strong side for the visit to Kent, knowing the Hawks will need to be at their very best to come away with the win. The side is as follows;

1. Dave Manning (c), 2. Tom Emery, 3. Ollie Frostick, 4. Ben Harrison, 5. Sam Lunnon, 6. Morgan MacRae, 7. Tom Hall, 8. Tom Vooght, 9. Will Crow, 10. Max Titchener, 11. Ryan Crowley, 12. Adam Hakimian, 13. Louis Flynn, 14. Seb Scott, 15. George Wood

Replacements: 16. Rory Mason, 17. Omar Ellaboudy, 18. Scott White, 19. Reuben Norville, 20. Ewan Fenley

The Bulls and Vikings are also in action on Saturday. The Henley Bulls (2nd XV) travel to West London to take on Rosslyn Park 2nd XV. Kick off there is 12.00.

For those unable to travel to Tonbridge, the Henley Vikings (3rd XV) are at home, playing against Hungerford RFC. Kick off is 2.30pm.

On Sunday, the Henley Hawks Women have their latest league game at home, playing Thurrock RFC with a 2pm Kick-Off. The Hawks Women have been in excellent form of late and will have been disappointed that their fixture at Beckenham was also postponed last Sunday. Thurrock have always been one of the strongest side in the Women’s Championship South, so they will need to be at their very best to come away with the win.

Also, on Wednesday (1st Feb), the Henley Vultures have a friendly match under the floodlights against the RAF Vultures. Kick off at Dry Leas is 7.30pm.