Wood bags treble for free-scoring Henley

HENLEY 2nds eased to a comfortable Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern North Division win at home to Bracknell 2nds last Saturday.

The hosts started brightly with George Wood and Conor Hayhow looking dangerous whenever they got the ball into their hands. It was Ross Lewis who got the first try, after a quick pick from the base of the ruck by Zack Mancey. A cross-field kick from Ollie Snook allowed Hayhow in for his first try of the afternoon soon after.

Wood was in fine form going on a number of winding runs and Zack Taylor benefited and scored the next try. Wood was next over the line with a chip and chase.

Morgan Poiner was next over the line, having been denied earlier, he powered his way. Bracknell had hardly touched the ball in first half but they were able to get two scores, a fine solo effort and then a penalty try from scrum pressure.

However, even though down to 14 players, Henley scored last in the half, Wood with another winding weaving run to take the half-time score to 36-14 to Henley.

The second half didn’t start great for Henley as they lost a front row to sin bin and were down to
12 players as Bracknell took advantage and scored down the blind side.

Henley struck straight back, Snook controlling and the forwards powering their way up the field before Will Baildon crashed over.

Baildon was involved in the next try, a break and then a kick through for Hayhow to finish. This was Baildon’s last involvement as he suffered an ankle injury.

Poiner was next in, supporting Hayhow who had made a strong break. Bracknell pulled another one back to get their bonus point before Wood got his hat-trick from a mazy run. Ed Houghton, who had tracked Hayhow on one his breaks, gather the offload to score next.

There was still time for another try from Wood before he set up Ethan Konschel for the final score of the game.