HENLEY Hawks showed character and determination to defeat Blackheath 21-16 in a spoiling game at the Rectory Field in National 2.

After looking comfortably on top at half-time and leading 13-3, Henley were pegged back to 16-16 before No 8 Dave Archer's try sealed victory.

Hawks' fly half Mitch Burton and Blackheath's Matt Vaughan traded penalties early on after visiting flanker Matt Hulland was sin-binned.

Blackheath No 8 Ken Aseme suffered the same fate, also for pulling down a maul, on 21 minutes.

Replacement centre Barry Reeves tested the Blackheath defence with a jigging run and found winger Sam Caven, who beat two defenders to score his first try for Henley.

Burton converted this and stretched the lead to 13-3 with a penalty from 25 metres.

Another Burton penalty made it 16-6 after the break.

The home forwards increased the pressure and Henley saw full back Adam Slade yellow-carded.

Aseme's surge set up a try for former Henley prop Des Brett and Vaughan added the conversion.

He completed Blackheath's comeback with a 62nd-minute penalty.

However, restored to 15 players and with Rowan Fuller taking over as loose head and Steve Wood at No 7, Hawks recovered.

Lock James Winterbottom was the inspiration and his lineout catch and drive resulted in Archer's score and Henley held on.