Titchener’s late penalty seals needed festive win for Hawks

HENLEY Hawks snapped a five-game losing streak in stunning fashion against Barnes thanks to a Max Titchener penalty a minute from time, which saw the hosts edge an exhilarating contest at Dry Leas last Saturday.

It was the ideal festive tonic for Hawks supporters who had seen their side come close on several occasions this season, only to fall short in the final minutes.

Despite an opening
10 minutes when they were on the back foot, Henley were the better side for the remainder of the half, and built an imposing 14-point lead thanks to converted close-range scores from Edem Adablah and Spencer Hayhow. Both front rowers were at their best in what was proving to be a physical contest.

Any opportunities the visitors had to claw their way back into the contest were snuffed out by an excellent defensive effort. The Barnes line-out was struggling for fluency, thanks in part to Ben Elsey, Sam Lunnon and Liam Goodison, who were all working hard to keep the visitors out.

With the Hawks holding on to a priceless 14-0 lead at half-time, it was a far more even contest after the break and Barnes hit back when prop Hamish Murray touched down following a powerful driving maul on 46 minutes. Will Nicholson converted well and the visitors were right back in it at 14-7.

Henley refused to buckle and regained their 14-point advantage with 25 minutes remaining when replacement prop Luke Shpylka did brilliantly to muscle his way over the whitewash. Titchener calmly slotted the extras to make it 21-7.

However, Barnes are not a side to roll over, and they fought back well with two converted scores in five minutes from wing Jacques Birch and replacement hooker, Adam Musa. With the scores now locked at 21-21 with
10 minutes remaining, it left the Henley faithful fearing the worst. However, with the clock ticking down and spurred on by a large, raucous crowd, Henley had one last chance in the Barnes 22. With the touch judge spotting a high tackle, it gave the Hawks an opportunity to snatch the points. Up stepped a nerveless Titchener, who guided the tricky kick just within the right hand upright to spark wild celebrations.

There was still time for one last passage of the play, but Henley managed to see the clock out without further alarm, kicking the ball into touch to seal a vital four points.

Henley will know that this performance is now the benchmark moving into 2026, as January will be a tough month with games against Canterbury, Dorking, Oundle and Old Albanian all incoming.

But for the moment, Henley supporters will be pleased that heading into the festive break, they are safe in the knowledge that their side are more than capable of competing with the best sides in the league.

Henley Hawks: Lamb, Scott, Jones (O White, 71 mins), MacRae, Busby (Wood, 55 mins), Titchener, Webb, Bailey (Shpylka, 33 mins), Hayhow, Adablah (Bailey, 69 mins), Elsey (Sichel, 77 mins), Goodison, Taylor, Noone (S White,
55 mins), Lunnon. Replacements: Sichel, Shpylka, S White,
O White, Wood.