Henley Hawks chalked up their second league victory when they beat London Welsh 18-14 in a vital National League 1 relegation match at Dry Leas.

The large crowd were on tenterhooks as Henley did not secure the winning points until the 78th minute.

Ironically, it was Matt Robinson a former Welsh international who sealed the London side's fate coming off the left wing to run in the winning try.

Barry Reeves put Hawks in front with a penalty after eight minutes as the visitors persisted in killing the ball. But Reeves then missed another penalty from 20 metres in front of the posts.

Welsh replied when full back Mark Meenan swept up the wing and touched down close to the posts for Mike Whitehead to convert

Almost immedaitely, Whitehead converted his own try, following good play by No 8 Lee Starling.

Reeves cut the half-time defcit to 14-6 with his second penalty.

Hawks forwards dominated affairs in the second half and finally the pressure told when Nnamdi Obi used his guile to cross the tryline in the corner.

The Hawks continued to pen Welsh in their own territory and eventually Reeves put in a superb long pass to Robinson who raced over from 25 metres, with Obi in support.

Reeves converted well from wide out to secure a well-deserved victory.