Oundle vs Henley Hawks – Saturday, January 31st 

By Alistair Beynon

Henley Hawks travel to Northamptonshire this coming Saturday for their first ever trip to Oundle RFC. Kick-off at Occupation Road is 2pm. Despite running table toppers Old Albanian close last weekend, Henley left empty handed and will have been disappointed not to have secured at least a bonus point for their efforts.

However, the games don't get any easier for Luke Allen's side as Oundle currently sit in second place in National 2 East having narrowly beaten the Hawks, 33-29 with the last play of the game back in October.

With Henley occupying second from bottom in the league table, lying two points behind Sevenoaks who visit Dry Leas at the end of February, it really has become a crucial stage of the season with the Hawks now desperate for points over the next month as they try and claw back some lost ground.

In terms of team news, Allen has had to shuffle the pack for the trip to Oundle with both Liam Goodison and Sam Lunnon out of action following knocks. Fin Basil moves to the second row with Morgan Poiner starting at blindside flanker following an impressive run of form for the 2s. Will Benning makes his first start at Number 8 since the London Welsh game back in December, whilst the backs remain unchanged from the OAs match. On the bench, there is a return to Henley for Beau Delaney as a replacement hooker. The Hawks also welcome flanker Max Brown who joins on loan from RAMS, along with fellow back rower Rory Cramp who signs from Camberley.

The provisional Henley side to face Oundle on Saturday is:

  1. Moses Fakatou, 2. Spencer Hayhow (c), 3. Edem Adablah, 4. Ben Elsey, 5. Fin Basil, 6. Morgan Poiner, 7. Scott White, 8. Will Benning, 9. Leo Webb, 10. Max Titchener, 11. Lailand Gordon, 12. Jimmy Leach, 13. Callum Jones, 14. Seb Scott, 15. George Wood

Replacements: 16. Luke Shpylka, 17. Beau Delaney, 18. Max Brown, 19. Rory Cramp, 20. Toby Howe

Elsewhere this weekend, the 2nd XV are away at Gosford All Blacks with a 2pm kick-off whilst the 3s have a rest weekend. On Sunday, Henley Hawks Women will be looking to build on their performance at Thurrock as they welcome Bath to Dry Leas, kick-off is also 2pm.