HENLEY Hawks staved off a Canterbury fightback to go ten points clear at the top of National 2 South with a convincing 39-24 win at Dry Leas.

Hawks’ pack drove over the Canterbury line from the kick-off for lock Will Woodward to secure a touchdown, which scrum half Connor Murphy converted.

But, from the restart, Canterbury wing Mason Rosvall raced in for a try, with fly half Tom Best adding the extras.

Murphy and Best then traded penalties.

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Henley were next to strike, with wing Lloyd Owen outpacing the fragmented cover.

Murphy again added the conversion, before landing his second penalty to make it 20-10 at half-time.

Hawks stretched further clear at the start of the second half, with Jake Randall finishing off a move involving both forwards and backs.

Murphy kicked the conversion, but then Canterbury counter-attacked and Hawks’ under-pressure prop Hugo Milford Scott was given a yellow card.

Canterbury took advantage with tries by Martyn Beaumont and Rosvall – both converted by Best – to slash Henley’s lead to 27-24.

Hawks hit back with winger George Eastwell touching down under the posts for Murphy to convert, and they sealed victory with a try by Jimmy Lichfield.

Chinnor were pipped 32-29 by Clifton at Kingsey Road.

Junior Fatialofa scored a try for Chinnor in the first minute, converted by Ed Keohane.

Charlie Foley replied with a penalty, which was quickly followed by a try from Max Woodward.

And Chinnor fell 15-7 behind when James Mackay crossed their line, with Foley adding the conversion.

But the hosts replied from the restart with Reuben Haile scoring in the corner, and a further try from Guido Cambareri made it 17-15 to Chinnor at half-time.

Clifton edged ahead with a penalty goal from Foley, before referee Paul Kimber controversially awarded a penalty try to the visitors.

Chinnor rallied with captain Alfie To’oala touching down, and Keohane’s conversion brought the home side back to within a point.

However, Clifton’s William Pomphrey dashed unopposed to the posts, and Foley again converted to put Clifton 32-24 ahead.

James Tyas reduced the deficit with a try in the corner, but the visitors held on.