NATIONAL 1
HENLEY Hawks were overpowered in a 28-6 defeat at promotion-chasing Rosslyn Park.
The muddy conditions suited Park’s big pack, while Henley found it hard to get their attacking game going.
Fly half Scott Sneddon slotted penalties on four and 24 minutes to put Park 6-0 ahead.
Henley prop Alex Penny enjoyed a decent run, but the hosts took further control with their opening try.
Scrum half Jack Gash burst through from the back of the line and gave centre Henry Staff the scoring pass, with Sneddon converting from in front of the posts.
Hawks hit back with two penalties from fly half James Comben to trail 13-6, despite having flanker Ryan Long sin-binned for killing the ball.
Park wing Davis Vincent was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, but Sneddon slotted a third penalty on half-time.
Henley enjoyed their best spell after the break, but could not pierce the strong home defence.
Instead, Park No 8 Sam Shires crashed over, with Sneddon converting.
Hawks lost centre Tom Allen and then Comben to injury, finishing with 14 men as they had used all their replacements.
And it was a Park substitute, Tom Baldwin, who forced his way over in the dying moments.
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