New look Hawks ready for Raiders challenge
Henley Hawks vs Guernsey Raiders - Saturday, September 6th, kick-off 2pm
Henley Hawks kickstart their 2025/26 National 2 East campaign with the visit of Channel Islanders Guernsey Raiders to Dry Leas on Saturday. Kick-off is at the earlier time of 2pm due to the flight times of the Guernsey side.
With pre-season now behind them, Luke Allen’s men will be itching to get out onto the pitch to begin what looks like tricky run of fixtures to start the season. With Esher relegated from National One along with London Welsh and Oundle being promoted from Level Five, on paper it looks like it will be the most competitive National 2 East division in many years.
As for the Hawks pre-season credentials, with victories in the two games played at the Old Redcliffians triangular challenge against both the Bristolian side and Welsh outfit Bargoed, this was then followed by a very convincing 52-19 triumph over County rivals Oxford Quins. However, last Friday night was certainly a different story as the Hawks were outgunned 54-15 against Loughborough Students in what was a real wake up call, but an opportunity to raise the level to where it needs to be.
Last season, the Hawks and Raiders faced off in two entertaining contests with Henley prevailing 26-15 at Dry Leas last November in what proved to be a ferocious contest, before the Channel Islanders came out on top, 45-28 at Footes Lane back in March this year. Expect contests between the two sides to be fiercely contested again this time around.
In terms of team news, captain Spencer Hayhow leads out a new look side for Henley’s first outing with several debutants on show. In the front row sees Eden Adablah start at tighthead prop with the young front rower having joined from Birmingham Moseley. Ben Elsey starts at lock having joined from Nottingham University, he partners new forwards coach Sam Lunnon in the second row. In the backs there is a first start for Oliver Snook who joined the club last year but was badly injured during pre-season and is now back to full fitness. He starts at inside centre alongside Connor Hayhow, who re-joins the club having been at Rams and Camberley respectively. Toby Howe misses out with a foot injury sustained in last Friday’s game against Loughborough.
The Henley Hawks side to face Guernsey is as follows:
1. Kadeem Collins, 2. Spencer Hayhow (c), 3. Edem Adablah, 4. Ben Elsey, 5. Sam Lunnon, 6. Marcus Lowe, 7. Roan Noone, 8. Will Benning, 9. Leo Webb, 10. Max Titchener, 11. Lailand Gordon, 12. Oliver Snook, 13. Connor Hayhow, 14. Guy Rawsthorn, 15. George Wood.
Replacements: 16. Louis Bailey, 17. Nelly Kinniburgh, 18. Isaac Small, 19. Liam Goodison, 20. Callum Jones
Elsewhere this weekend, it’s a Double Header Saturday at Dry Leas with Henley 2’s also beginning their league campaign with a 3pm kick-off against local rivals Reading RFC. Henley 3’s travel to Chesham with a 2.30pm kick-off for their first league game of the season.
