Henley Hawks vs Dorking - Saturday, October 5th, kick-off 3pm
By Alistair Beynon
Henley Hawks welcome Surrey side Dorking to Dry Leas for their latest National 2 East fixture, kick-off 3pm. Following their draw at local rivals Oxford Harlequins on Saturday, Luke Allen’s men will be desperate to get back out in front of a home crowd and put a frustrating couple of weeks behind them with a positive display against a side who have had a solid start to the season.
Henley were in control for much of the contest against Quins, leading 19-0 with around 30 minutes remaining. However, three late tries for the home side turned the tide and saw the spoils shared in a physical contest.
The Surrey side have won 3 of their opening 4 matches, with victories over Barnes (29-24), Old Albanian (43-28) and Bury St. Edmunds (47-27). Their only blot on the copybook coming on the opening day of the season when they went down 45-31 at current league leaders Tonbridge Juddians. In wing Toby Mcrae they have the top try scorer in all of English rugby last season with a mammoth 42 tries in 26 games, so Henley will need to nullify the threat that he possesses. They currently sit in fourth place with 16 points, 4 points above Henley in 7th.
Last season, the sides drew 18-18 in an absorbing clash at Dry Leas in November before Dorking came out on top 39-27 at The Big Field in March this year.
With the Hawks picking up more injuries at Oxford Quins, this time to influential second row Sam Lunnon, Allen has been forced to ring the changes ahead of the clash with Dorking. In the pack captain Rory Mason is also unavailable in the front row which means a first start of the season for Louis Bailey at loosehead prop, with Kadeem Collins switching to tighthead. Marcus Lowe reverts back to the second row to partner Liam Goodison, while Morgan Poiner comes back into the starting XV at Number 8.
In the backs sees a first team debut for scrum half Lucas Braithwaite who has impressed for the 2s, whilst Jamar Richardson also makes his debut on the wing with the former Ram also having had an excellent run of performances for the 2nd XV. On the bench sees other debutants Nelly Kinniburgh at prop and speedster Jack Rampton who also joins the club from Rams.
Elsewhere this weekend sees a double header at Dry Leas with Dorking as the 2’s take on their second XV in a friendly, kick-off 2.15pm on the riverside pitches. The 3’s have a rest weekend and remain unbeaten after an excellent start to the season. The Hawks Women travel to newly-promoted North Bristol on Sunday for their latest Championship South match-up, kick-off is 2pm
Saturday also sees the first Henley Oktoberfest at Dry Leas, so much to look forward to with all the action beginning at 1.30pm and live music throughout the day.
Henley Hawks side to face Dorking tomorrow:
1. Louis Bailey, 2. Spencer Hayhow, 3. Kadeem Collins, 4. Liam Goodison, 5. Marcus Lowe, 6. Roan Noone, 7. Scott White, 8. Morgan Poiner, 9. Lucas Braithwaite, 10. Callum Jones, 11. George Wood, 12. Max Titchener, 13. Guy Rawsthorn, 14. Jamar Richardson, 15. Toby Howe
Replacements: 16. Beau Delaney, 17. Nelly Kinniburgh, 18. Christian Floyd, 19. Jack Rampton, 20. Aidan Pugh
