National League Division 2: HENLEY Hawks slumped to their second successive defeat when they were beaten 34-10 at Wharfedale on Saturday.

Any hopes of breaking their duck soon disappeared when Simon Horsfall went over for the home side after just seven minutes, followed by another from ex-Sheffield United footballer Adam Thwaites three minutes later.

It was the dynamic thrusts of Mark Bedworth, however, that proved Henley's undoing, the centre scoring 14 points in all.

Wharfedale led 22-3 at half-time, Barry Reeves notching a straight-forward penalty midway through the first period for the visitors' only contribution.

Hawks' forwards kept their side in the game with some good work, dominating the lineouts as Ian Gibbons hit his jumpers, Steve Green and James Winterbottom, consistently.

However the Dalesmen had the upper hand at close quarters and when the ball was on the ground.

The introduction of Matt Honeyben in the centre paved the way for a period of Henley domination at the start of the second half, leading to a try when Reeves looped round to put Chris Simmons over under the posts.

This came after Mike Tamati was forced to go off with a snapped Achilles tendon, causing a major re-shuffle in the Henley ranks.

Their one remaining replacement, hooker Simon Tattersall, came on at flanker, with skipper Jeff Atkinson moving to centre, which did not help the Hawks' defensive organisation.

Wharfedale took advantage to score through scrum half John Newton and Twaites, finishing comfortable winners.