NATIONAL 1

HENLEY Hawks climbed out of the relegation zone after a 23-13 victory over Blaydon at Dry Leas.

Hawks are level on 50 points with Worthing and Tynedale, but head them both by virtue of games won and points difference.

Blaydon took an early lead when No 8 Jason Smith was driven over from a line-out and it took some excellent tidying up work from his opposite number, Matt Payne, to prevent further scoring.

Scrum half Luke Carter’s blindside break set up wing Xavier Andre to run in Henley’s opening try from 30 metres, fly half James Comben converting.

Comben created space for full back Ed Yarnton to score try No 2.

The fly half could not convert this or his own sidestepping try five minutes later, but he was able to add a penalty to make it 20-5 at half-time.

Hawks gained more stability at scrum time with the introduction of Dave Manning and Ian Williams.

But Blaydon lock Chris Wearmouth drove over for 20-10 and fly half Andrew Davies added a penalty.

Andre was stopped just short of a second try, but Comben slotted a penalty.

Blaydon wing Tom Grimes was denied a try for a foot in touch and Henley held on.