HENLEY Hawks Women’s side ran out comfortably at home to local rivals Reading Ladies at Dry Leas on Sunday in their RFUW Championship South West Division 2 clash.

With a dry track the Hawks’ pace and handling started to open holes with breaks from Wheeler off the back of a dominant scrum. This brought in Forbes and Miller to join the attacks and work their way into the Reading half. It was here that a quickly taken penalty by Carr meant she was through untouched for the first score with Forbes converting.

This set the tone and with all the good first phase ball the Reading line was breeched time and time again. Another well worked move was finished off by Scott for her maiden Hawks try while Atkinson claimed another close to the posts. Forbes again converted. But for good pressure and silly penalties, which resulted in a try for Reading, the half finished 19-5.

Despite snow now falling and the temperature dropping in the second half the Hawks’ handling remained high. Scott, Hearn, Solowin and Atkinson were enjoying possession, continually probing at pace into the Reading line. This was backed up by strong hard yards put in by the welcome return of Wysocki-Jones and Wheeler.

Reading were still trying to play and their back row caused problems but despite all their intent, it was Henley who scored further tries through McKenzie at close range and a good set of phases created the overlap for Hearn to touch down.


This left Atkinson to finish off a run within her own half and Forbes to claim her third conversion.

Published 04/03/13