National League 1

Henley Hawks remain deep in trouble at the bottom of the table despite a stirring display in their 22-18 defeat by a strong Coventry side at Dry Leas.

Hawks even outscored their visitors two tries to one, but it just wasn't enough to shake a resilient Midlands outfit crammed with overseas talent, including All Black legend Zinzan Brooke.

Coventry full back Martyn Davies punished the home side with five penalties and a conversion of their only try from wing Martin Worthing- ton.

Hawks trailed 10-0, before centre Russell Osman set up a try for skipper Mark Venner to make it 10-5 at the break.

Three more Davies penalties to two by Henley full back Jon Fabian were the highlights of a dull third quarter until Hawks produced a try out of the top drawer, scored by Pete Davies after a pacy run from Ayoola Erinle

Fabian converted and suddenly Hawks were trailing by a point with ten minutes to go. But Davies's fifth penalty ruined their chances of victory.