Dorking vs Henley Hawks – Saturday, January 25th, kick-off 2pm

By Alistair Beynon

After bouncing back to winning ways against Oxford Quins last weekend, Henley Hawks now shift their attention to tomorrow's clash at title challengers Dorking. The Surrey side have been in impressive form this season with 12 victories and just 2 losses to their name and sit in third position in National 2 East. One of those triumphs came at Dry Leas back in September when an injury hit Hawks side were out gunned, 34-5. That defeat proved to be the catalyst for Henley to launch a six game winning streak, but Luke Allen’s men know they will need to be far better in every area if they are to come away from Dorking with a win this weekend.

Allen will take some confidence from Saturday’s victory over Quins. Despite not being at their best, Henley showed resilience and character to grind out the win. However, they will need to improve their discipline as they were penalised far too many times, particularly at the breakdown last weekend. They will also need to be more ruthless when the opportunities present themselves within the oppositions 22.

With regards to team selection, Allen has a relatively full and healthy squad to pick from. The pack is unchanged from last Saturday with the front row asserting their dominance over Quins at the scrum. 

In the backs, Callum Jones comes into the starting XV at outside centre in place of the unavailable George Wood. On the bench sees Jamar Richardson back in the matchday squad for the first time this year having recovered from a broken finger that has kept him out of action since before Christmas. 

The provisional side to face Dorking tomorrow is as follows:

1. Kadeem Collins, 2. Spencer Hayhow, 3. Rory Mason (c), Liam Goodison, 5. Sam Lunnon, 6. Marcus Lowe, 7. Roan Noone, 8. Will Benning, 9. Joe Pattison, 10. Max Titchener, 11. Guy Rawsthorn, 12. Leo Webb, 13. Callum Jones, 14. Lailand Gordon, 15. Toby Howe

Replacements: 16. Louis Bailey, 17. Nelly Kinniburgh, 18. Finn Basil, 19. Jake Rawcliffe, 20. Jamar Richardson

Elsewhere this weekend, the 2nd XV travel to Beaconsfield 2’s for a league fixture on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 2pm. The 3’s have a rest weekend. On Sunday, Henley Hawks Women have a tough assignment as they travel to Thurrock for their latest Women’s Championship South fixture, kick-off is 2pm.