HENLEY Hawks made the most of their game in hand to boost their promotions hopes when beating Taunton Titans 38-5 at home.

The bonus-point win has lifted the side to third in National League 2 South – four points behind second-placed Canterbury, who occupy the sole play-off spot.

Jake Albon’s try gave Hawks an early lead, before Ben Bolster converted his own score to make it 12-0.

Henley continued to dominate and extended their advantage to 17 unanswered points at the break when Dan Barnes went over.

Taunton got on the scoreboard immediately after the break, Aron Struminski dotting down.

But it was one-way traffic after that as tries from Sam Lunnon (2) and Liam O’Neill, Bolster converting, sealed an emphatic victory.

Oxford Mail:

  • Liam O'Neill dives over for Henley's fifth try Picture: Steve Karpa

Craig Holland scored a hat-trick of tries as Chinnor beat Rotherham Titans 48-35 at home.

The Thame-based side, who ended a four-match winless run, moved to sixth in National League 1 as a result.

Chinnor took an early lead when Holland dived over, Bertie Hopkin converting, before the visitors replied through two Alex Dolly penalties.

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A Hopkin penalty put the hosts 10-6 in front, but Rotherham soon made it 18-10, thanks to a penalty try and Dan Richardson’s score.

Just when the momentum looked to have swung in the visitors’ favour, Chinnor hit back to make it 24-18, thanks to tries from Kieran Goss and Patrick Schickerling, Hopkin converting.

A Dolly penalty reduced the arrears, but the hosts led 31-21 at the break when Holland crossed again, Hopkin adding the extras.

Oxford Mail:

  • Craig Holland dots down for one of his three tries against Rotherham Picture: Aaron Bayliss

Tom Jubb’s unconverted try extended their lead to 17 points after 46 minutes.

Rotherham replied when they were awarded another penalty try, but three more points from the boot of Hopkin made it 41-28.

Chinnor lost Jack Gilding to the sin-bin and Titans took advantage when Ali Thomson went over, Dolly converting.

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With five minutes to go, the home side’s lead had been reduced to six points and the visitors pushed for another score.

But Chinnor made sure of victory when Holland completed his hat-trick with an interception try, Hopkin converting.