National 2 South

HENLEY Hawks secured maximum points for a ninth successive game with a 46-31 victory over Canterbury at Dry Leas.

But the leaders conceded five tries in the process – the most they have let in this season.

Hawks got off to a flier, with tries from full back Martin Nutt and wing Xavier Andre, fly half James Comben converting the first.

Canterbury showed their resilience when in almost their first visit to the Hawks 22, they conjured a try for flanker Tom Sherson, converted by fly half Tom Best.

Centre Danny Wells grabbed a third Henley try, converted by Comben, but the visitors hit back through wing Ricky Macintosh, Best converting.

No 8 Robbie Stapley off-loaded for Andre to score his second before centre Ali James finished a fine passing move for 29-14 at half-time.

Wells notched Henley’s fifth try after good work from flanker Ryan Newman and Comben converted.

No 8 Willem Barrs replied for Canterbury, who had hooker Tom Rogers sin-binned for handling in the ruck.

Stapley broke away to score for Henley before Best’s cross-kicks set up tries for full back Martyn Beaumont and centre David Devlin-Jones.

Best converted the first, but Henley wing Richard Briggs had the final say.

Chinnor lost 39-35 at Dings Crusaders in a match where the lead changed hands five times, but they collected two bonus points.

Dings dominated the early exchanges and led 10-0 thanks full back Mark Woodrow’s penalty and a catch-and-drive try from lock Dave Bufton, converted by Woodrow.

Chinnor fly half James Cathcart replied with a penalty, but they had centre Sam Stoop sin-binned. Scrum half Steve Plummer’s try made it 15-3.

The visitors woke up as full back Henry Colver was sent through to score on 28 minutes, Cathcart converting and adding a penalty.

Cathcart’s cross-kick was finished athletically by wing Tom Gray to put Chinnor 18-15 ahead at half-time.

Bufton’s second try restored Dings’ lead, but they then had wing Taylor Stevens yellow-carded.

Cathcart slotted a penalty and converted the in-form Gray’s second try for a 28-22 advantage.

Dings hit back with tries from flanker Steve Uren and Woodrow, who converted both and kicked a penalty.

Chinnor earned their bonus points on 75 minutes with a try from wing Leo Fielding, converted by Colver.