HENLEY Hawks secured a crucial 25-19 win over Loughborough Students to boost their bid to avoid the drop from National League 1.

Hawks had lost four successive games, but a superb comeback sees them close the gap on fellow strugglers Blaydon and Wharfedale.

Hawks trailed 14-3 at half-time, but rallied well to run out narrow winners.

Connor Murphy’s penalty gave Henley an early lead, but Loughborough full back Tom James converted his own try before also being on target after prop George Davis touched down.

Hawks hit back, but were unable to add to their total before the break despite being awarded five penalties.

However, it did not take long after the restart for Henley to start their comeback.

Prop Billy Moss dived over and Murphy’s conversion made it 14-10.

They took the lead when fly half Basil Strang burst through for the first of his two tries.

The conversion saw them go 17-14 ahead, but it was short-lived.

Ed Taylor’s try put the students 19-17 ahead, only for Murphy’s penalty to edge Hawaks back in front.

They sealed a crucial win two minutes later when Strang stormed over for his second try.

Chinnor’s National League 2 South woes continued with a 26-13 loss at home to Redruth.

The hosts started brightly and led through Oscar Heath’s fifth-minute try.

When Will Cargill’s penalty made it 8-0, things looked promising for Chinnor.

However, Kyle Marriott reduced the deficit with a try, converted by Brett Rule.

And Richard Brown’s try a minute before half-time, again converted by Rule saw Redruth go 14-8 ahead.

Brown scored again to increase the lead shortly after the restart.

Henry Lamont’s try gave Chinnor hope, but that was extinguished when Sam Parsons scored a bonus-point try and Rule converted to seal victory.