Oxford Harlequins vs Henley Hawks – Saturday, October 18th, kick-off 3pm
By Alistair Beynon
Henley Hawks travel to County rivals Oxford Harlequins tomorrow (Saturday) desperately hoping to reverse a run of four consecutive defeats. Kick-off at The Horspath Sports Ground is 3pm.
It’s been a wretched start of the season for Luke Allen’s men, having been competitive in every game, which is highlighted by the unwelcome statistic of having secured three losing bonus points for their efforts.
Quins are currently bottom of National 2 East with Henley just two places higher and separated by 5 points. Like Henley, they have a solitary victory to their name which they secured with a 24-22 triumph at London Welsh at the end of September. However, form goes out of the window in a local derby, and with ex-Hawk Pete Davies as Head Coach, it adds an extra dimension to the fixture.
Last season, the two sides played out an entertaining 19-19 draw at Quins back in September last year, before Henley edged the reverse fixture 17-12 at Dry Leas in January.
In terms of team news, the pack remains unchanged from the Oundle game with captain Spencer Hayhow fit and raring to go. In the backs sees a return for Lailand Gordon and Ollie Snook on the right wing and inside centre respectively. Both picked up minor knocks at OA’s a fortnight ago but are deemed fit for the Quins game. George Wood also moves to fullback for this fixture.
The provisional Henley Hawks team to face Oxford Quins is as follows:
- Kadeem Collins, 2. Spencer Hayhow (C), 3. Moses Fakatau, 4. Ben Elsley, 5. Sam Lunnon, 6. Liam Goodison, 7. Roan Noone, 8. Will Benning , 9. Oskar White, 10. Will Baildon, 11. Oscar Busby, 12. Oliver Snook, 13. Leo Webb, 14. Lailand Gordon, 15. George Wood
Replacements: 16. Nelly Kinniburgh, 17. Edem Adablah, 18. Zack Taylor, 19. Scott White, 20. Matt Cooke
Elsewhere this weekend, Henley 2s are at home to Wallingford in another derby match-up, kick-off at Dry Leas is 3pm. The 3rd XV travel to Risborough for their latest league fixture, also with a 3pm kick-off. Henley Hawks Women have a rest weekend.
