National League 2: Henley Hawks failed to convert possession into points as they suffered their third successive loss with a 9-3 home defeat to Esher on Saturday.

This was a game in which the Hawks had enough of the play to win, but despite dominating the last 30 minutes, they could not engineer a decisive try.

And Hawks had a good opportunity to cash in after the removal of Esher's two most influential players, wing Matt Moore and No 8 Chris Wilkins.

Make no mistake this team strove hard all afternoon and were prepared to put their bodies on the line.

Once more they enjoyed good line out possession courtesy of Steve Green and James Winterbottom, but the scrummage wobbled a little in the second half.

Andy Macrae was Henley's most penetrative runner, while debutant centre Paul Dunckley was secure in his tackling.

Adam Slade, at full back, showed useful pace in attack, as well as accurate tactical kicking.

Young David Drake kept a cool head in his inaugural 1st XV performance.

Full back Neil Hallett kicked two penalties to give Esher a 6-0 half-time lead.

Another after the break sealed the points, while Barry Reeves could only kick one penalty from four.

But Hawks could well have been denied a hard earned point, for a defeat by six points, had skipper Jeff Atkinson not put in a try-saving tackle.