NATIONAL 2 SOUTH

HENLEY Hawks were knocked off the top, despite a bonus-point 31-13 victory over Southend Saxons at Dry Leas.

Hawks trail new leaders Taunton by the narrowest possible margin on points difference, but will be happy with a fourth straight win.

Henley got off to a flier when lively scrum half Connor Murphy went over on two minutes, with fly half Will Robinson converting.

Hawks’ backs looked slick, but their forwards were the source of two further tries in the first 25 minutes.

Lock Matt Payne finished off a well-controlled drive down the right, Robinson’s conversion hitting a post.

Another forward drive of some 30 metres led to flanker Ryan Newman forcing his way over for a try, which Robinson converted.

Southend centre Bradley Burr replied with two penalties before the break.

Henley’s best move of the game saw replacement full back Piers O’Conor find wing, Lloyd Owen with a looping pass to score in the corner.

Southend notched a try out of the blue when some loose hacking allowed replacement Lester Pollard to touch down a bouncing ball, with Burr converting.

Henley had the final say when Murphy fed marauding flanker Tom Hall to score his fourth try of the season, converted by Robinson.

Wing Reuben Haile’s hat-trick of tries proved in vain as Chinnor lost 26-21 at home to Worthing.

Chinnor started slowly as they have done frequently this season, with Worthing deservedly going 14-0 ahead.

Flanker Jamie Redmayne and scrum half Calum Waters grabbed their tries, with full back Matt McLean converting both.

On the stroke of half time Haile went over for his first, scrum half Reece Boughton converting.

Chinnor began the second half well with a delightful length-of-the-field try from Haile on 42 minutes.

Haile repeated the dose ten minutes later in less spectacular style, skinning the outside cover. Boughton converted both for 21-14.

On 60 minutes Worthing hooker Charlie Piper escaped down the tramlines at great pace for a well-deserved try, McLean converting.

Chinnor upped the pressure but replacement Craig Holland, from a line-out catch-and-drive, put Worthing ahead 26-21.

The hosts won four consecutive penalties at a five-metre scrum in the last two minutes, with Worthing prop Dan Sargeant yellow-carded.

Chinnor waited for what they felt was the inevitable penalty try, but the referee disagreed and Wothing held on.