Henley Hawks vs Worthing Raiders – Saturday, March 1st, kick-off 3pm
By Alistair Beynon
Henley Hawks welcome old rivals Worthing Raiders to Dry Leas tomorrow (Saturday) for their latest National 2 East fixture as they bid to restore some semblance of form heading into the final third of the season.
Following their disappointing defeat at Sevenoaks a fortnight ago, the Hawks have had a weekend off duty and an opportunity to rest some tired bodies ahead of the clash with Worthing.
Their opponents need no introduction to the Henley faithful, as the Hawks and Raiders have shared some memorable encounters over the years. However, the Raiders have struggled for form this season having lost several important players last summer and currently find themselves propping up the table in 14th place with two victories and seventeen defeats to their name.
The two sides met at Roundstone Lane back in October and Henley came out on top in a high scoring encounter, 55-34. However, despite their problems this season, Henley will need to be at their best as the Sussex side have seemingly turned a corner with some impressive results of late. Two weeks ago they defeated Bury St. Edmunds, 38-35 and have also run both Canterbury and Old Albanian very close in recent weeks.
As for team selection, Hawks Director of Rugby Luke Allen and Head Coach Rob Cain have a healthy squad to select from. In the pack, captain Rory Mason is back in the starting XV having missed out at Sevenoaks. Similarly, there is a return for Liam Goodison in the second row with the lock having shaken off an injury that has kept him out of action since the Westcombe Park game at the beginning of February. Sam Lunnon is also back in the side having been unavailable for the Sevenoaks clash.
In the backs, Allen will be pleased to welcome back Bath Academy scrum half Aidan Pugh into the side. Pugh had looked a real livewire for the Hawks in the matches prior to Christmas, and his return is a welcome boost for Henley supporters. Elsewhere, Max Titchener comes back into the team at fullback with Jamar Richardson moving to the wing. Toby Howe continues to pull the strings at fly half.
The provisional Hawks side to face Worthing Raiders on Saturday is as follows:
- Kadeem Collins, 2. Spencer Hayhow, 3. Rory Mason ©, 4. Liam Goodison, 5. Sam Lunnon, 6. Marcus Lowe, 7. Scott White, 8. Will Benning, 9. Aidan Pugh, 10. Toby Howe, 11. Lailand Gordon, 12. Leo Webb, 13. Callum Jones, 14. Jamar Richardson, 15. Max Titchener
Replacements: 16. Louis Bailey, 17. Ivor Langley, 18. Roan Noone, 19. George Wood, 20. Guy Rawsthorn
Elsewhere this weekend, the 2nd XV are away at Maidenhead 2’s, kick-off 3pm whilst the 3’s are at home to Farnham Royal, kick-off 2.30pm.
Also on Saturday, Henley Hawks Women face off against Richmond again, this time away from home, as they aim turn the tables on their opponents having been edged out 17-12 by the Southwest Londoners last weekend. Kick-off is 5pm.
