RUGBY UNION: Hawks keep up promotion bid (From The Oxford Times)

RUGBY UNION: Hawks keep up promotion bid

10:00am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Sport

National 2 South

HENLEY Hawks continued their fine start to 2013 with a 63-15 victory at Clifton.

Hawks kept up the pressure on leaders Worthing with nine tries and a first-half display of precision rugby against an icy wind.

Wing Xavier Andre made it six tries in two games with an opening brace, centre Danny Wells converting both to begin a 100 per cent kicking display.

Wells grabbed try No 3 himself and lively scrum half Luke Carter the fourth – all inside 20 minutes.

Full back Ben Roberts slotted a penalty for Clifton, but Henley led 42-3 at half-time.

Lock Josh McNally’s powerful display was rewarded by his first Hawks try, while flanker Ryan Newman touched down a sixth score.

Clifton improved in the second half, with centre Will Pomphrey and scrum half Callum Bradley scoring tries, Roberts converting the latter.

However, scores from centre Neil Baggett, No 8 Robbie Stapley and a penalty try completed Henley’s impressive display.

New signing Will Robinson came off the bench to kick the final two conversions, with hooker Nick Gardner also coming on for his debut.

Chinnor suffered a shock 36-24 defeat at basement boys Barking, who won for the first time this season.

The visitors led 14-3 in the first half, but were eventually well beaten by a highly motivated side.

Oliver Forrest kicked Barking ahead with a fourth-minute penalty, but Chinnor hit back with a try from No 8 Liam Gilbert, converted by fly half Will Millett.

Millett scored Chinnor’s second try five minutes later, direct from lineout ball, and converted.

Barking, who were fielding some new recruits, reduced the arears with a try from wing Charles Baffour-Awuah.

The hosts’ other wing, Stephen Hihetah, bagged the first of a try treble, fly half Forrest converting for 17-14.

Millett equalised just after half-time, but Hihetah ran through too easily for his second, converted by Forrest.

Chinnor had lock Tom Mowbray yellow-carded, but levelled when wing Adrian Hales glided over and Millett converted.

Hihetah’s treble restored Barking’s lead, while scrum half James Fouracre waltzed through for their fifth try, Forrest converting.