Trojans 29-10 Henley Hawks Women
By Lisa Tavinor
Henley Hawks Women made the journey south to face a determined Trojans side on Sunday afternoon in a hard-fought contest that ultimately ended in a 29-10 defeat for the visitors.
The Hawks started brightly, setting the tone with aggressive attacking play and quick ball movement. Their early intensity was rewarded when Hen Lowen-Cooper crossed the whitewash for the opening try, capitalising on sustained pressure and slick handling across the backs. The conversion went wide, but Henley looked to have seized early momentum.
Trojans, however, responded swiftly, exploiting space out wide to level the score with an unconverted try of their own, bringing it to 5-5. The match was evenly poised at this stage, with both teams battling for territory and possession.
A series of unforced errors and lapses in concentration crept into the Hawks' game, allowing Trojans to capitalise. Two unanswered tries before the break saw the hosts take control of the scoreboard, heading into half time with a 17-5 advantage.
Despite trailing, Henley’s set-piece work was a standout feature throughout. The forwards dominated in the scrum and executed terrific lineouts, consistently providing a strong platform — though they were unfortunate not to convert this superiority into further points.
The second half remained tightly contested for long spells, with neither side able to break through until the 65th minute, when Trojans struck again to extend their lead, which was swiftly followed by yet another try from them taking the score to 29-5
With fresh legs off the bench, Lenna Wagner powered over the line after a strong carry, for the Hawks though the conversion again missed the mark. Encouraged by Wagner’s try, the Hawks rallied with renewed energy, but time was not on their side, final score 29-10.
Despite the result, there were notable positives for Henley. Sam Page earned the well-deserved accolade of Players' Player, impressing with her relentless defensive work, powerful carries, and inspirational leadership on the pitch.
The Hawks will now use the upcoming two-week break to regroup and reset before they welcome Thurrock to Dry Leas on Saturday, 26 October. With clear areas to build on and a strong foundation in the forwards, Henley will be eager to bounce back in front of a home crowd.
