Henley’s resilience pays off as they bag derby bragging rights

HENLEY 3rds ran out 22-17 winners in their derby clash at Marlow 2nds in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Berks/Bucks and Oxon East Division last Saturday.

Going into the fixture, Marlow were sitting mid table and Henley languishing at the bottom.

Despite the difficulties that Henley have faced this season, through lack of players and injury, the team has been re-ignited by returning players and new recruits, eager to restore the side to the winning ways of the past few seasons.

From Henley’s kick-off, Marlow were immediately combative using their size advantage throughout the team to get the upper hand. Henley’s defence, inspired by captain Murray Hughes, was outstanding with considerable commitment by each and every player to stop Marlow’s onslaughts. With some thunderous charges by Henley’s second row, Jacob Marks, Henley were also making ground. Henley’s defence was not without risk, which led to them being given a cumulative team yellow card for a player going off his feet, after repeated infringements by the team generally. Marlow were the first to score with the same method of each of their tries, simply using their superior strength and weight to forge over Henley’s line.

Henley’s back row of Adam Porter, Billy Parrish and Hughes were tireless in both attack and defence in equal measure. This was to be rewarded by Porter claiming Henley’s first points, as half-time came at 5-5.

The second half started with ebb and flow possession for both teams for a full
20 minutes before Henley’s Ollie Heard, on the left wing, outpaced Marlow’s defence and ran right around them. With fullback Fred l’Anson’s conversion, Henley now led 12-5.

Henley’s next unconverted score came from Ben Parkinson, fresh off a plane from the US in the morning. With the score at 17-5 against them, Marlow rallied and scored again but were soon undone by Henley’s Ben Wiltshire, making a welcome return to the team, and taking his own five points. Marlow did manage to respond and claw back with a converted try in the last play of the game with the referee blowing his whistle after the conversion.