A storming second-half display gave Henley Hawks a high-scoring 45-29 victory away to newly-promoted Hertford in their first game of the new campaign.

Hawks trailed 15-12 at half-time, but five tries after the break saw them ease home.

The hosts took a 10-0 lead through a try by centre Alistair Fox, plus a conversion and penalty from winger Rob Richardson.

Henley responded with tries from centre Xavier Andre and Danny Wells, who added the first conversion in the absence of injured regular kicker James Comben.

But a try from flanker Brett McNamee restored Hertford's lead before half-time.

It was a different Henley side that took the field after the break, inspired by skipper Tom Allen, who with a typical run from near halfway, stormed through to touch down under the posts for Wells to convert.

Within five minutes, wing Tommy Haynes went over for a try which Wells also converted.

The Hawks set scrum was now giving Hertford a torrid time and secured a penalty try when Hertford prop Kan Basra was show a yellow card for illegal play to stop the advance. Wells added the conversion.

No 8 Rupert Crossland added Henley’s sixth try to make it 38-15, at which point they became a little lax.

Fox and McNamee both scored their second tries, converted by Richardson, for Hertford.

These came either side either side of replacement Tom Hancock’s try for Henley which Wells converted.

Hawks were reduced to 14 men before the end when Joe Southwell suffered a knee injury.