Allen: ‘Game management needs to improve’

DIRECTOR of rugby Luke Allen says game management among some of his side needs to improve after Henley Hawks slipped to their third consecutive National Division 2 East defeat at Old Albanian last Saturday.

It was a case of déjà vu for the Hawks as, like the previous week against Dorking, Henley once again had to fight back in the second half but ultimately the gap was too much to reel in last Saturday against the Hertfordshire side who moved to the top of the table.

Speaking this week, Allen said: “Saturday was a tough day. We’ve been there or thereabouts in matches this season but ultimately first half performances have not been good enough. We’re doing some soul-searching as a coaching group to make sure we’re doing the right things to motivate players.

“There have been games this season we could and should have won. Dorking the previous week were the better team on the day but in the end it could easily have been a fairytale ending. Last Saturday against Old Albanian we were left with too much to do again.

“In this league you cannot afford to give teams too much respect in the first half.

“We are not blaming anyone but ourselves. Game management has been poor for some players and we need to get better as a group — coaches and players.”