NATIONAL 2 SOUTH

HENLEY Hawks held on to edge out Chinnor 28-24 in a pulsating derby at Dry Leas.

Hawks led 16-0 after dominating a first half in which Chinnor No 8 Alfie To’oala was sent off following an altercation at a ruck.

The hosts were still 28-10 ahead with ten minutes to go before a strong finish earned Chinnor a losing bonus point.

Henley’s impressive scrum half Conor Murphy ran in the opening try after collecting a loose ball 30 metres out.

Chinnor looked set to equalise, but centre Jack Hayes dropped the ball with the try-line looming.

The London Irish loanee made it 11-0 with a brace of penalties, while he and full back Tom Allen went close to further tries.

Wing Owen Lloyd went over for Henley’s second score after a strong drive from flanker Tom Hall.

To’oala was red-carded on 36 minutes to cap a frustrating half for the visitors.

Fly half Ed Keohane got Chinnor on the board with a penalty after the break.

But Hall then drove his way through six tackles to score Henley’s third try, despite protests from Chinnor defenders. Murphy converted.

Replacement wing Robbie Martey was driven over to give the visitors a glimmer of hope on 52 minutes, Keohane converting.

Momentum swung again when Chinnor lock Andrew Tibbatts was yellow-carded and Henley No 8 Robbie Stapley scored from a driving maul.

Chinnor captain Martin Nutt showed some neat footwork to notch their second try on 71 minutes, with scrum half Reece Boughton converting.

Hawks were now under pressure and saw two players yellow-carded.

Wing Reuben Haile ran in Chinnor’s third try on 79 minutes, converted by Boughton, but Henley emerged with the spoils.

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