HENLEY Hawks gained revenge on Otley, who knocked them out last year, by storming to a convincing 48-30 victory in a fourth-round RFU Senio Cup tie at Dry Leas on Saturday.

Hawks took the lead after 15 minutes when full back Jon Fabian, responsible for many good things in the game, came into the line to send left winger Pete Davies over for a try.

Fabian converted this and further tries from Ric van Zyl and Mark Venner saw Henley race into a 21-6 half-time lead.

Simon Binns landed a penalty goal and a drop goal for the visitors.

Binns kicked a second penalty for Otley, but Henley took the game by the scruff of the neck, with tries from the outstanding Ali Mortimore and van Zyl. Fabian converted the second to put Henley out of reach at 33-9.

The game now had almost an end-of-term feel to it with the sides exchanging scores. Fabian took his tally to 18 points by converting Bruce Rowland's try, scoring a try himself and landing a penalty.

Otley responded with three converted tries, but never got close to catching Henley.

The game was a joy to watch, not purely because of the quality served up by the players, but because of a connoisseur's performance and a lightness of touch by referee Paddy O'Brien.

The New Zealand international official was warming up before taking charge of the England v Australia game this Saturday.