Henley's great fight to avoid relegation from National League Division 1 was given another boost with a spectacular 45-20 victory over fellow strugglers Manchester at Dry Leas on Saturday.

In recording their third successive win, Hawks scored five tries and thus earned an important bonus point.

They are still three points behind the Mancunians, but have a slightly easier three-game run-in.

With uncertainty over Moseley's future, it could mean that only one team goes down this season.

A large crowd screamed their delight as Hawks scored four tries in the third quarter to storm into a massive 42-3 lead, before Manchester rallied with three late tries

The hard work had been done in the first half, from which Henley emerged with a 16-3 lead, despite being on the back foot for much of the time.

The reliable Jon Fabian, who landed seven kicks out of eight during the game, put over three first-half penalties and converted a try by winger Pete Davies, who enjoyed his best game of the season.

With replacement Dan Smaje producing an influential display, Henley ran riot in the 20 minutes after the break as Manchester turned over a lot of ball.

Smaje made a try for Jeff Atkinson, and further tries soon followed from centre Ric van Zyl, lock James Winterbottom and centre Ayola Erinle. With Fabian adding three conversions, the scoreline incredibly read 42-3.

Manchester demonstrated their running and handling ability by scoring tries through wing Karl Long, Otuvaka and former Oxford University full back Phil Graham, always a danger with the ball in hand.

The scoring was completed by the Hawks with a fine snap drop goal from Smaje.

Bracknell's and Manchester's matches will be the most crucial in the fight to avoid relegation, but ultimately the outcome is in the Hawks' own hands - they have to keep on winning!