Visitors dig deep to see off Gosford challenge

HENLEY 2nds ran out winners in their Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern North clash at bottom of the table Gosford All Blacks last Saturday.

Several injuries to the squad allowed first starts of the season for Jack Davies and Charlie Ambrose McCormack who had both impressed with the Henley 3rds while 18-year-old Jarvis Wood was on the bench.

Gosford All Blacks came out firing and didn’t allow Henley to settle. However, after five minutes a driving maul from Henley saw Charlie Sichel and Bobby Wilson come close, before Lucas Braithwaite found Charlie Thomas to crash over from close range.

The next score came Henley’s way when Tom David read an interception well and sprinted in untouched from 70 metres out.

Straight from the kick off Henley were back at it, moving the ball neatly to one sideline before swinging it back the other for Will Leach to sprint in from 60 metres out.

Then came a potential turning point of game as Henley lost the powerful David to injury. This resulted in Henley having players out of position.

Gosford took this opportunity to spring into action and got onto the front foot. Henley’s level dropped and they were punished as strong drives from the Gosford forwards saw them score to reduce the deficit to 21-7 at half-time.

The second half started with the hosts having their tails up and although the chop tackling by the workhorse Barney Stentiford, Henley could not stop the momentum.

Missed tackles saw Gosford score their second try of the match. Henley responded when Sichel barged his way over to give the visitors some breathing space.

Gosford had got the upper hand in scrum and they barrelled their way over for another score. Henley had a penalty within Will Cassar’s range which he calmly slotted it over. Gosford responded to make it an uncomfortable last few minutes, but Henley held on to win by seven points.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Henley 2nds entertain local rivals Reading Abbey at Dry Leas.