Henley Hawks 24-21 Barnes

By Alistair Beynon

Henley Hawks snapped a five-game losing streak in stunning fashion against Barnes thanks to a Max Titchener penalty a minute from time, which saw the hosts edge an exhilarating contest.

It was the ideal festive tonic for Hawks supporters who had seen their side come close on several occasions this season, only to fall short in the final minutes. 

Despite an opening 10-minutes when they were on the back foot, Henley were the better side for the remainder of the first half, and built an imposing 14-point lead thanks to converted close range scores from Edem Adablah and Spencer Hayhow. Both front rowers were at their abrasive best in what was proving to be a very physical contest. 

Any opportunities the visitors had to claw their way back into the contest were snuffed out by an excellent defensive effort. The Barnes lineout in particular was struggling for fluency, thanks in part to Ben Elsey, Sam Lunnon and Liam Goodison, who were all working hard to keep the visitors out. 

With the Hawks holding onto a priceless 14-0 lead at half time, it was a far more even contest after the break, and Barnes hit back when prop Hamish Murray touched down following a powerful driving maul on 46 minutes. Will Nicholson converted and the visitors were right back in it at 14-7. 

Henley refused to buckle, and regained their 14-point advantage with 25 minutes remaining when replacement prop Luke Shpylka did brilliantly to muscle his way over the whitewash. Titchener calmly slotted the extras to make it 21-7. 

However, Barnes are not a side to roll over, and they fought back well with two converted scores in five minutes from wing Jacques Birch and replacement hooker, Adam Musa. With the scores now locked at 21-21 with 10-minutes remaining, it left the Henley faithful fearing the worst. 

However, with the clock ticking down and spurred on by a large, raucous crowd, Henley had one last chance in the Barnes 22. With the touch judge spotting a high tackle, it gave the Hawks an opportunity to snatch the points. And up stepped a nerveless Titchener, who guided the tricky kick just within the right hand upright to spark wild celebrations. 

There was still time for one last passage of the play, but Henley managed to see the clock out without further alarm, kicking the ball into touch to seal a vital four points.

Henley will know that this performance is now the benchmark moving into 2026, as January will be a tough month with games against Canterbury, Dorking, Oundle and Old Albanian all incoming. 

But for the moment, Henley supporters will be pleased that heading into the festive break, they are safe in the knowledge that their side are more than capable of competing with the best sides in the league. 

Henley Hawks

Lamb, Scott, Jones (O. White 71), Macrae, Busby (Wood 55), Titchener, Webb, Bailey (Shpylka 33), Hayhow, Adablah (Bailey 69), Elsey (Sichel 77), Goodison, Taylor, Noone (S. White 55), Lunnon

Replacements: Sichel, Shpylka, S. White, O. White, Wood

Tries: Adablah 14, Hayhow 19, Shpylka 53

Conversions: Titchener 15, 20, 54

Penalties: Titchener 79

Barnes

Graham (Crabtree 61), Birch, O’Dell, Bromley-Martin, Walker, Nicholson, Crabtree (Davies 47), Cole-Fontayn (Horner 63), Robertshaw (Musa 52), Horner (Murray 26), Okemuo, Stanton (Hill 47), Murphy, Farquhar (Spencer-Jones 76), Spencer-Jones (Lodge 58)

Replacements: Musa, Murray, Lodge, Hill, Davies

Tries: Murray 46, Birch 65, Musa 69

Conversions: Nicholson 47, 66, 70


Referee: Peter Buchanan

Star Man: Seb Scott (Henley)

Referee: Peter Buchanan

Attendance: 329

Halftime scoreline: Henley 14-0 Barnes

Match photos courtesy of Steve Karpa available here.