National 2 South

HENLEY Hawks came on strong in the final quarter to defeat Barnes 44-21 at Dry Leas and improve their promotion hopes.

With morning leaders Worthing losing and Richmond drawing, Hawks, for whom lock James Winterbotton made his 250th appearance, are now just four points off top spot at the season’s halfway point.

Henley opened up with a penalty from fly half James Comben, but then saw Barnes score from their first attack as centre Chris Dunlop touched down and full back Warren Gower converted.

Hawks skipper Tom Allen bamboozled the Barnes defence with a mazy run from halfway, with Comben converting the try.

Barnes had Gower sin-binned before Henley No 8 Rupert Crossland was driven over, Comben converting.

Hawks relaxed and let fly half Gareth Williams-Davis in for a try, converted by centre David Riley.

Comben slotted a second penalty soon after half-time as Hawks look on top, but Williams-Davis’s interception try, converted by Gower, put Barnes 21-20 ahead.

Hawks went through the gears and the pressure told with a try from hooker Ed Church plus a second score from Crossland – following a yellow card for Barnes prop James Remfrey.

Prop Alex Penny crashed over for Henley’s fifth try, with replacement Danny Wells converting this and a superb solo effort from wing Christoph Bart.