Clinical finishing proves decisive in county clash

HENLEY 2nds got back to winning ways in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern North Division as they defeated county rivals Oxford at Dry Leas last Saturday.

Henley started strongly and immediately applied the pressure. The forwards worked hard and they were soon rewarded when Zack Taylor powered his way over.

Soon after Henley found another score when Max Titchener spotted a hole behind the defence, a clever kick through was regained by Henley. A couple of phases later Titchener found Will Baildon to go over untouched.

The forwards were good going forward and making the hard yards and were also able to get their driving maul going, a good drive and then Charlie Sichel broke off the back and then spun his way over the line.

Henley scored again after a break down the middle saw Ross Lewis find Barney Stentiford in the blindside and he timed his pass to allow Seb Scott to sprint through and finish with a good dive. The next score came from the forwards as they were using the driving line-out to their benefit. This time it was the strength and agility of a twisting Stentiford that was able to dot down.

Henley still had time for one more score before half-time. This was started by a 50m break from Roan Noone, the ball was recycled before a pinpoint cross-field kick from Titchener found Aaron Bello who coasted over in to make the score 38-0.

Oxford came out firing after half-time and scored when a kick through and bounce allowed them to run in from 60m out.

Henley hit back as slick hands from the backs saw Callum Jones go through a hole and sprint in from 30m out. Henley’s next score came from good vision from Titchener, another pin-point cross-field kick, this time to Will Leach who took it in his stride to sprint in.

Henley’s last score came from Stentiford who powered his way over for his second of the match. Oxford finished strongly with two late tries.