HENLEY Hawks moved nine points clear of Dorking at the top of National 2 South after a 32-17 home success over Clifton.

A strong second-half display proved crucial, after the visitors led 17-10 at half-time.

Hawks, however, started well, and were ahead inside of the opening three minutes.

Hooker Stuart Philpott touched down after a driving maul, with James Comben adding the extras.

The visitors were soon level, winger Luke Blizzard scoring, with Charles Foley converting.

Clifton went ahead through a Foley penalty, but Henley hit back with Dave Manning being forced over for an unconverted try, which gave the Hawks a 12-10 lead.

A topsy-turvy encounter saw visiting No 8 Alistair Bone dive over, with an excellent Foley conversion making it 17-12 at the break.

However, the second period saw Hawks turn on the power.

Right winger Xavier Andre levelled the scores and a Connor Murphy penalty put Henley 20-17 ahead.

With ten minutes remaining, they extended their lead when replacement flanker Tom Hall scored under the posts, Comben adding the extra points.

Matt Payne’s late try added gloss to the final score, and with nearest rivals Dorking failing to pick up a bonus point win, saw Henley stretch their lead at the top.

Chinnor eventually overcame Launceston with a late bonus point try to win 24-12 at Kingsey Road.

David Coutts touched down to put the hosts ahead, before a James Tyas try and Ed Keohane conversion made it 12-0 after 16 minutes.

A try from Launceston’s Ryan Westren made it 12-5 to Chinnor, and that is how it stayed until the final ten minutes.

Three quick passes allowed Chinnor’s Reuben Haile to scorch under the posts for his side’s third try.

Keohane added the extras, but Jamie Salter reduced the deficit, scoring Launceston’s second try, which Lewitt converted.

But Chinnor secured victory – and the bonus point – in the final five minutes when Ryan Long went over from a line-out.

The win moves Chinnor into fourth place in the table.