Henley Hawks got their league campaign back on track with a confident victory over Old Albanian at Woollams. Warm and dry early season weather and a pitch in great conditions made for afternoon to keep the ball in hand and both sides were happy to keep possession for long periods.

Henley started well and looked confident going through multiple phases. OA were happy to defend and much of the opening exchanges took place in the middle third of the pitch. Henley’s possession started to tell and fly half Max Titchener put them on the board with a penalty after 5 minutes from 55 meters. The Henley forwards were starting to make meters and flanker Scott White got the game first try, after 9 minutes, Titchener converted. Although OA were starting to get more ball they weren’t able to breach the Henley defence. Henley again maintained possession for long periods and former OA second row Sam Lunnon added the second try after 24 minutes. Henley had their tails up and on half an hour scrumhalf Ewan Fennley scored, Titchener again added the extras. Henley shared to move the ball through the backs and winger Adam Porter went on a break from his own half and was bundled into touch 5 meters out, the referee consulted his touch judge and they judged a high tackle and awarded a penalty try; 31-0 at the break and a bonus point in the bag for Henley.

A more positive start from OA in the second half and they started to dominate possession and were able to spend time in the Henley 22. The pressure told and centre Sam Jones went over and converted his own try OA finally on the board after 43 minutes, 7-31. While OA were back in the game they weren’t able to find any mismatches and it was Henley who scored the next try through Titchener who converted 7-38. The games best try can on 64 minutes from OA fullback Alex Noot he ran strongly from his 22 deep into Henley territory the ball went through several hands and Noot scored close to the posts 12-38. The game was now being played in Henley’s half and while OA looked good with the ball in hand, Henley were in the main able to deal with the OA carries. The next try was always going to come from OA and so it proved on 78 minutes when after a series of penalties number 8 Kemp Price went over in the right corner. Henley still looked comfortable and a last minute penalty made the final score OA 17 – Henley 41.

OA will be happy to have “won” the second half and with their handling throughout, but greater satisfaction for Henley on a solid team performance.

Richard Homer,

Reporter