Hawks pack power past a battling Esher

By NICK PITSON

Henley…………………. 31

Esher……………………. 21

HENLEY Hawks eased to a bonus-point victory over Esher at Dry Leas.

The foundation of the win was laid down by the Henley forwards and, while not firing on all cylinders, the Hawks did enough to win it before a couple of late Esher tries.

Esher squandered a couple of early chances before Henley full-back James Love opened the scoring with a penalty.

Following a number of kicking exchanges, the Hawks forwards gradually began to get on top and, after a drive from Tom Emery and a chip through, the referee awarded a penalty try for a deliberate obstruction.

With Esher shown two yellow cards, the Hawks turned down a kickable penalty. Emery scored as he led the driving maul from a line-out. Love converted to give Hawks a 17-0 half-time lead.

Just after the break, with the Hawks extended their lead with an excellent try from Reuben Norville. He collected a backhand pass from Emery, ran and chipped through, collecting the bounce and scoring under the posts. Love converted.

With their pack totally dominant in the scrum, it looked as though the Hawks would comfortably see the game out, but they gifted a simple try to Esher wing forward Cam- eron Wilkins. Rhodri Adamson converted.

Hawks' Will Crowe took a quick penalty, broke through the defence and gave Sam Lunnon the scoring pass. Love goaled from the touchline.

Esher managed late scores from wing Harri Lang and centre Luke Peters. Jack Lavin converted both.