Henley Hawks 23 – Blaydon 13

[match id=109]

Blaydon slumped to a 5th successive defeat with this overall disappointing performance against relegation candidates Henley. They had ample possession throughout, the home side were only once in the Blaydon half in the second period, but lacked continuity in the backs and contrived to waste their opportunities.

Henley on the other hand had few opportunities but latched onto Blaydon errors to score breakaway tries and had built up a useful lead by the interval.

It was Blaydon who opened the scoring when No8 Jason Smithson touched down from a short scrum but the advantage was short lived with Henley winger Xavier Andre capitalising on a fortuitous bounce to race clear from 25 metres.

Fly-half James Comben added the extras and then a penalty before former Blaydon favourite Ed Yarnton scooted down the touchline for a second try. Blaydon responded with some good attacking play but when a penalty to touch failed to reach its destination the home side broke up-field for man of the match Comben to storm over from a catch and drive and again added the conversion.

Facing a half-time deficit of 20-5 Blaydon took control after the break and excellent forward pressure was rewarded when lock Chris Wearmouth crashed over. Andrew Davies failed with the conversion but a later penalty took them within bonus point range only for Comben to deny them the point with a similar effort in a rare Henley attack.

John Brennan