Old Albanian vs Henley Hawks – Saturday, September 7th, kick-off 3pm
By Alistair Beynon
Henley Hawks begin their 2024/25 National 2 East season with a trip to St. Albans to face Old Albanian in an eagerly awaited match-up between the two old rivals.
There has been a real changing of the guard for Luke Allen’s squad in the off season with several old faces having retired or moved onto pastures new, giving the side a much younger look ahead of the new campaign.
With a new coaching set-up headed up by Rob Cain, the Hawks will feel themselves very unlucky not to have come away with a win from last Friday night’s final pre-season friendly at home to Loughborough Students. Leading by 12 points with 15 minutes of the contest remaining, Henley couldn’t see the game out and two late converted tries for the visitors gave them the victory in a 38-36 victory. As it is, there were plenty of positives to work on with the physicality at the breakdown being very impressive. There were also some very encouraging individual performances with the set piece performing well and the speed of the attacking play really catching the eye.
Henley will know all too well the challenge that they are up against on Saturday with Old Albanian being seasoned campaigners in National 2 East. Last season, the Hertfordshire side did the double over the Hawks with a 31-20 victory at The Woollams last September before edging a ferocious contest at Dry Leas just before Christmas, 27-24. However, the consolation for Henley was that they did finish above OA’s in the league table.
In terms of team selection, Allen names a side with four debutants in the starting XV. Spencer Hayhow, who joins from Camberley, starts at hooker for his first appearance in Henley colours. He takes his place alongside new club captain Rory Mason and Kadeem Collins in the front row.
The ever present second row pairing of Marcus Lowe and Sam Lunnon return to add some experience and familiarity to the young side, whilst the back row consists of two debutants in the form of Roan Noone, who moves to the club from neighbours Rams, and Morgan Poiner. Last season's player of the year Will Benning starts at Number 8.
In the backs sees Leo Webb and Max Titchener start at half backs with new boys Aaron Bello and Callum Jones at 11 and 12 respectively, whilst George Wood moves to fullback from his usual position on the wing. On the bench are new signings Beau Delaney at hooker and Bath Academy scrum half, Aiden Pugh.
Henley Hawks side to face Old Albanian is as follows:
1. Kadeem Collins, 2. Spencer Hayhow, 3. Rory Mason ©, 4. Marcus Lowe, 5. Sam Lunnon, 6. Morgan Poiner, 7. Roan Noone, 8. Will Benning, 9. Leo Webb, 10. Max Titchener, 11. Aaron Bello, 12. Callum Jones, 13. Guy Rawsthorn, 14. Lailand Gordon, 15. George Wood
Replacements: 16. Beau Delaney, 17. Louis Bailey, 18. Callum Ross, 19. Toby Howe, 20. Aiden Pugh
Elsewhere this weekend, the 2’s are away to Amersham & Chiltern on Saturday with a 3pm kick-off and the 3’s at home to Bracknell, kick-off also 3pm. The Hawks Women’s Championship South season begins on Sunday, September 15th with a trip to Old Albanian.
