Henley's life in Division 1 came to an end, despite a valiant display in their defeat by Rotherham at Dry Leas on Saturday.

The champions may have won 54-20 in their last game before promotion to the Zurich Premiership, but it was relegated Henley who took the plaudits, especially in the first half.

Needing a victory to have a chance of staying up, Hawks dominated the opening 30 minutes.

However, Rotherham scored from their first serious attack, while the Hawks efforts, especially by their fast, penetrative backs, went unrewarded. At times, Henley centres Ric Van Zyl and Ayoola Erinle found huge gaps down the middle of the park, but never had the support in numbers to beat the well-organised visitors, who created eight tries of their own.

Rotherham led 19-10 at half-time, thanks to tries from burly No 8 Alfie Toola, Italian international Ramiro Pez and flanker Neil Spence.

Hawks' replies came from an injury-time try by winger Pete Davies, plus a conversion and penalty by Matt Jones.

The second half brought Rotherham five more tries from Ripol, Spence, Pez, Umaga and Tipol, as their professional outfit took charge.

But Henley, who had Mark Venner sin-binned, never gave up. Russell Osman, on as a replacement for the injured van Zyl, scored a try, and winger Bruce Rowland also went over to round off the scoring. Jones added one conversion.

So Henley, who were told all season that they were too good to go down, must now accept the reality of relegation.