National League 1: Henley Hawks achieved the first of three victories they have targeted to avoid relegation with a tense 13-10 victory over Nottingham at Dry Leas on Saturday.

In a pulsating finish, Nottingham threw caution to the wind, but Henley hung on for a lifeline victory.

The key moment came 15 minutes into the second half with a superbly taken try from centre Ali James.

The Oxford University player tore a hole in a stretched defence to touch down under the posts, giving Matt Honeyben the easiest of conversions.

This gave the Hawks the lead for the first time and fly-half Honeyben consolidated a 10-5 advantage with a smartly-taken drop goal from in front of the posts.

Following a series of surges, Nottingham established a good ruck to feed quick ball across to No 8 Nick Easter who strode away against a skeleton defence to score, but Henley were not to be denied.

The Hawks forwards came back well after being given a torrid time in the first ten minutes, when driving mauls by the Nottingham pack had pinned them to within ten metres or so from their line.

Inevitably, a catch-and-drive from a lineout was to lead to a try and Tonga Lea'aetoa was driven over after seven minutes.

Gradually, the Hawks forwards, led by No 8 Tom Hayman, wrested control and their reward was a penalty by Honeyben, although he missed another 30-metre kick before the break.

The Hawks started the second half well and Dave Lubans, off the bench, made an immediate impact on his return after injury with a swooping break.

This set the tone and Hawks scored their points to take the lead and were never headed.

Episode two of the Hawks' escape plan takes place on at Old Deer Park on Easter Saturday against a London Welsh side who are now just two points ahead.