National League 1

Henley Hawks celebrated the New Year in the best possible style with a superb 18-13 victory over Bristol Shoguns in front of their largest crowd of the season - 1,700 - at Dry Leas on Saturday.

The professionals of Bristol had got the better of Exeter, whom they defeated 43-15 in their previous game, but they had to play second fiddle to the lowly Hawks on this occasion.

Henley had the whiphand in the tight, thanks to Sam Johnstone and company, while their back row had a storming game led by skipper Steve Barnes.

Left wing Ali James was involved in both the Hawks' tries, scoring the second and creating the first, which was awarded as a penalty try.

The rest of the Hawks points were scored by fly-half Barry Reeves, who converted the penalty try and notched two penalties.

At the start, Bristol's confidence in a straightforward victory seemed well founded as they scored a try by centre Rob Higgitt, converted by fly half Danny Gray.

Hawks went ahead with the penalty try, and James's try at the end of a sweeping attack in which Pete Davies featured twice.

Reeves increased the Hawks lead to 15-7 with a penalty at the beginning of the second half, but the Shoguns reduced the deficit thanks to two penalties by Gray.

Henley brought on new signing Tom Hayman, the Oxford University No 8, who impressed with his speed around the field before being sin-binned for persistent infringements.

Bristol really shot themselves in the foot by throwing the ball away when a penalty was awarded against them, which gave Reeves the opportunity to slot the all-important penalty goal from ten metres nearer.