Sat 17 Feb 2024, 15:00
RFU National League 2 East
Saturday February 17
Henley Hawks 26 Esher 31
Leaders Esher had to survive a feisty comeback from Henley before securing a victory which keeps them five points clear at the top.
The Surrey side were leading 26-7 at half time and when they struck again straight after the break, another hefty win to match the previous two – which had seen them amass 119 points – looked possible.
But Hawks hit back impressively to rock Es, who were starved of the ball for much of the second half and completely lost the fluency which has been their hallmark. It was with more relief than delight that they heard the final whistle, claiming a 12th successive triumph.
That had looked unlikely early on, Esher going in front on nine minutes when a lineout inside the home 22 was spun across for full-back Owen Waters to touch down, Sam Morley marking his return from a week away to convert.
Like so many sides this season, Henley found wing James Botterill dangerously elusive, his ferocious speed off the mark startling defences throughout the division. It was one of his typically sharp breaks on 21 minutes which set up the second try, scrum-half Pierre Thompson completing the move although the conversion flew well wide.
The third try, eight minutes later, saw Botterill the beneficiary this time for his 22nd of the campaign – the best in the competition and a major contribution to Esher’s success – with Morley back on target.
A minute from half time, Hawks – who had barely reached the Esher 22 – made the most of a rare visit when centre Ryan Crowley’s quick tap penalty set him up to go over from short range. Yet by the interval the hosts found themselves further behind again as the excellent Thompson flew past them again for his second try of the day, capped by Morley again.
A catch and drive from the lineout led to a maul from which hooker Andy Hamilton stretched the advantage and, with the slight slope in their favour, Es seemingly had another chance to extend their impressive points difference.
Yet, seemingly from nowhere, Hawks forced their way back into the match. The comeback started on 48 minutes, Will Benning taking advantage of missed tackles to score his side’s second try, Jordan Oatley converting again.
Two minutes later the crowd perked up when Toby Evans produced a superb solo effort to narrow the gap further, Oatley making it just 12 points with his kick.
Henley’s lineout, so lacklustre in the first half, was now allowing them to dominate the visitors, full-back Evans going over again for a converted effort which made the gap to just five points and with 21 minutes still remaining.
Botterill had been taken off at half time because of an ankle problem, although his fellow threequarters were seeing little of the ball. But Esher showed the appetite and diligence required under pressure by tackling ferociously and closing down dangerous breaks.
Morley’s attempt at a penalty from long range fell just short, while a Hawks lineout from just outside the Es’ 22 failed to have the same impact as others earlier. When Esher gained a penalty around halfway in the dying seconds, they retained the long enough to wind down the clock and secure victory.
Sevenoaks, currently ninth, visit Molesey Road on Saturday.
Games to come – Feb 24: Sevenoaks (H); March 9: Tonbridge Juddians (A); 16: North Walsham (A); 23: Wimbledon (H); April 6: Worthing (A); 13: Dorking (H); 20: Guernsey (H); 27: Barnes (A).
