Henley Hawks 22, Rosslyn Park 47

Henley Hawks were overrun by their promotion-chasing opponents in an entertaining National 2 South clash at Dry Leas.

It was not all doom and gloom for the hosts, but they did concede seven tries, four of which were scored by classy wing James Strong.

Park took the lead on four minutes when prop Will Collier blasted through some weak defence at a ruck to run in from 40 metres.

Fly half Dylan Pugh converted this and try No 2 after Strong was given far too much room to jink inside.

With Hawks’ fans fearing the worst, their team quickly gained a foothold.

Jayde Cruickshank made good ground on the left, centre Ali James gained a few more yards and wing Will Jones squeezed over on the left.

Fly half Wil Fulton hit a post with his conversion, but soon slotted a penalty.

You couldn’t fault Henley’s defence in the tight at this point, but Park had more pace and, on 29 minutes, they struck again as Strong nipped past Cruickshank, Pugh converting.

Park wrapped up the spoils before half-time, with Collier, following lock Howard Quigley’s off-load, and hooker Amo Tauialo finishing from close range, Pugh converting both.

The second half appeared to be a case of damage limitation, but Hawks played with more resolve.

Park flanker Jonny Barrett was well stopped by Jones after a 54th-minute break, then, two minutes later, Strong was unlucky to knock on from his own chip and chase.

Henley wasted a great chance when James broke through, but full back Tom Haynes couldn’t find the supporting Jones.

Hawks had kicked away a lot of good ball, but looked far more threatening when they ran it.

They scored a superb try on 65 minutes when flanker Adam Holloway cut loose and found Jones, who off-loaded for supporting scrum half Jack Shaylor to go round and under the posts, Fulton converting.

Five minutes later, centre Neil Baggett flew through a gap and had the strength to set up lock Steve Green for a simple finish, Fulton again converting.

A fourth try and a losing bonus point now looked on, but two late scores from the irrepressible Strong, one converted by Pugh, capped a fine day for the elusive wing.

Henley, though, were aggrieved that replacement James Comben was tackled off the ground in the build-up.

Henley Hawks: Haynes, Jones, Baggett, James (Comben 72), Cruickshank, Fulton, Shaylor, Fuller (capt), Dalgleish (Matthews 78), Hadfield (Penny 41), Stradwick, Green, Hennings (Dupee 78), Holloway (Thompson 78), M Payne.

Referee: P Knowles (London).

Henley man-of-the-match: Jones.