Oxford Harlequins 19-19 Henley Hawks
By Alistair Beynon
Henley Hawks saw a 19-0 lead evaporate as Oxford Quins staged a valiant late comeback to share the spoils 19-19 in a thrilling local derby on Saturday afternoon.
Henley were good value for their 14-0 halftime lead, which arguably could have been greater had they not turned down several kickable penalties and been held up over the try line on more than one occasion. As it is, Luke Allen's men will be frustrated to have let the home side back into the contest in the last 30 minutes, coming away with a draw in an entertaining but often fractious clash.
The Hawks set their stall out from the off, playing with purpose and intent. An early attacking lineout was stopped just short of the line giving Quins the opportunity to clear their lines. However, the relentless pressure continued throughout the first quarter but the hosts defence held firm to everything Henley threw at them.
Another penalty at the scrum on the hosts 22 after 15 minutes saw Henley again choose the lineout option, and yet again the home side repelled waves of pressure, stopping the Hawks just inches short.
The attacks continued and Henley were held up over the line giving Hawks supporters the feeling that it was going to be one of those afternoons. However, the pressure finally told on the 25-minute mark when Kadeem Collins powered over from close range. Max Titchener added the extras and Henley were finally on the board with a deserved 7-0 lead.
Quins made their first venture into the Henley 22 on 35 minutes and were awarded a penalty for the Hawks not rolling away. However, Jack Allinson missed a relatively straightforward opportunity giving the Hawks a reprieve.
Close to the half time whistle, Henley launched another attack deep into the Quins 22 and doubled their lead when Leo Webb peeled off the back of a ruck to dive over under the posts. Titchener hit the conversion and Henley had a 14-0 lead at the break.
Henley started the second half back on the front foot and added a third try when George Wood found space out wide to scamper over the whitewash. Titchener missed the conversion from out wide, but Henley had built a solid 19-0 lead leaving Quins with much to do the turn the contest around.
However, the comeback was almost instant as a lovely inside ball saw replacement scrum half Harry Burn speed his way over the line untouched. Allinson added the conversion and Quins were back in the contest at 19-7.
The momentum of the game suddenly changed and Henley were now on the back foot. A driving maul was held up on the hour mark showing a reversal in fortunes from the previous half as Quins scented blood. This wasn't helped by Sam Lunnon seeing a yellow card for a high tackle and Quins quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage.
A quick tap penalty was patiently worked through the phases before Burn sniped his way over for the home sides second try. Allinson was narrowly wide the conversion but it was suddenly a one score game at 19-12 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Henley were now the ones facing waves of pressure and the comeback was complete with 5 minutes remaining as Adam Field crossed out wide. Allinson converted well and it was 19-19 with several minutes still left in the contest.
Henley had a chance to win it at the death but were penalised for holding on a metre or so from the line which brought to end an exhilarating but ultimately frustrating afternoon for the Hawks.
15. Howe, 14. Wood. 13. Rawsthorn, 12. Titchener, 11. Gibbons, 10. Jones, 9. Webb, 1. Collins, 2. Hayhow. 3. Mason (c), 4. Goodison, 5. Lunnon, 6. Noone, 7. White, 8. Lowe
Reps: 16. Delaney, 17. Bailey, 18. Poiner, 19. Braithwaite, 20. Braithwaite, 21. Whitwell
Match photos courtesy of Andrew Turner available here.
