Henley Hawks fought back to post their first away victory in four matches by beating Cambridge 32-27 to march on at the top of National 2 South.

Hawks, who gave a seasonal debut to Oxford University flanker Gus Jones, fell behind in the first minute when wing James Wigglesworth scored in the corner.

Cambridge scrum half Tom Whiteley then saw his clearance charged down, and fly half James Comben scored wide out.

Wigglesworth put Cambridge back in front with a penalty, and then scored his second try to make it 13-5.

Henley reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time when returning scrum half Mark Bruce set up full back Piers O’Conor to race over.

Whiteley went in under the posts for a try, converted by Wigglesworth, early in the second half to make it 20-10.

Henley No 8 Oscar Hirskyj-Douglas then drove over for a try, converted by Comben.

Minutes later, Cambridge prop Matthew Worrall-Clare was despatched to the sin bin, and Comben converted the penalty to make it 20-20.

Prop Dave Manning was then driven over to give Henley the lead for the first time, and a driving maul from 40 metres resulted in Hawks being awarded a penalty try, converted by Comben.

Cambridge’s Joe Collingham raced away for a try converted by Gerhard Boshoff, but Henley held on.

Chinnor slipped to an 18-14 defeat at Southend Saxons.

San Fombo was driven over for the hosts’ first try, which Brad Burr converted. Chinnor levelled with a try by Frank Jones, converted by Ed Keohane.

Wing Billy Driver restored Southend’s advantage with a try to make it 12-7, which they increased through a Burr penalty.

Chinnor hit back with a penalty try, converted by Keohane, in the second half to make it 15-14, but the visitors lost Alfie To’oala to a yellow card for the rest of the game.

Burr then added a penalty.