Henley Hawks set for huge home test against Havant at Dry Leas

Luke Shpylka. Photo credit: Steve Karpa

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WITH  just four games left of the season, Henley Hawks welcome Havant to Dry Leas tomorrow (Saturday) for their penultimate home fixture. Kick-off is 3pm.

It is undoubtedly a huge match in the context of the season as a whole, so this is a clarion call for Henley supporters far and wide to come and down and support them in their hour of need.

The Hawks faithful will also be keeping an eye on results around them in the league, with both Esher and Sevenoaks having tough trips to Oundle and Old Albanian respectively. So a victory over Havant will be vital for Henley’s survival aspirations.

On the back of consecutive victories for the first time this season, Luke Allen’s team will have taken significant confidence from their triumphs over Sevenoaks and Westcombe Park, but will be aware of the threats the visitors possess.

Havant currently sit in the relatively comfortable confines of eighth place in National 2 East having accumulated ten victories, a solitary draw and eleven losses to their name. The two sides met at Hooks Lane back in November, and it was the Hampshire side who came out on top that day in monsoon-like conditions with a 16-8 victory.  With there being a few knocks picked up during what was a bruising battle with Westcombe Park last weekend, Allen has been forced into a few changes in personnel. In the pack, Luke Shpylka swaps with Kaleem Niazi at tighthead prop, whilst Max Brown moves to blindside flanker and Scott White comes back into the starting XV at openside.

In the backs, there is a debut for centre Tom David who comes in at outside centre in place of the injured Callum Jones.

David has excelled for the 2nd XV this season, and was a travelling reserve for the game at Westcombe Park. Elsewhere, Toby Howe continues at Fly Half and George Wood has recovered from his knock sustained last week to start at fullback.

1. Moses Fakatou, 2. Spencer Hayhow ©, 3. Luke Shpylka, 4. Ben Elsey, 5. Sam Lunnon, 6. Max Brown, 7. Scott White, 8. Will Benning, 9. Leo Webb, 10. Toby Howe, 11. Lailand Gordon, 12. Jimmy Leach, 13. Tom David, 14. Oscar Busby, 15. George Wood. Replacements: 16. Nelly Kinnibugh, 17. Kaleem Niazi, 18. Roan Noone, 19. Zack Taylor, 20. Oskar White

Elsewhere on Saturday, the 2nd XV travel to Oxford with a 2.30pm kick-off as they continue to push Chinnor 3s at the top of Counties I Southern North. On Sunday, Henley Hawks Women have a tough fixture away at Old Albanian with a 2pm kick-off.