Henley Hawks were relegated to National 3 South after losing 23-18 at home to Nuneaton.

Defeat left both sides 17 points adrift of safety in National 2 with only 15 to play for.

Despite having the majority of the possession, Henley lost by three tries to two.

Again their close-range defence was a shadow of last season's efforts, which saw them miss out on promotion to National 1 by one point.

Hawks started strongly, with their forwards battering away, and were rewarded with an eighth-minute penalty from fly half Jim Farndon.

Scrum half Callum Grant sped away for a fine individual try, which Fardon converted for 10-0 after 17 minutes.

Henley felt harshly treated by referee Brendan Fitzmaurice and conceded a try follwing another disputed decision.

A quick tap saw full back Rob Cook score out wide.

Nuneaton threatened through a driving maul before big centre Jody Peacock barged his way through for a try, which fly half Rickie Aley converted.

Prop Tim Pickard and No 8 Ryan Banks were both yellow-carded for Nuneaton either side of the break.

But Henley could manage only a Farndon penalty, replying to Aley's drop goal.

No 8 Dave Archer and Henley man-of-the-match, full back Chris Simmons, created a try for wing Tom Burns to put them 18-15 ahead.

Nuneaton's pack gained greater control in the final quarter with Pickard being driven over.

Aley slotted a penalty with four minutes left and Henley could not come back.

Director of rugby Jason Forster said: "This defeat was down to a lack of discipline."