HENLEY Hawks were unable to end their championship winning campaign with a victory as they lost a thrilling National League 2 South finale 41-34 to Dorking at Dry Leas.

Nathan Taylor’s late score gave Hawks hope of at least a draw, but the disappointment of defeat did not overshadow their celebrations as captain Dave Clements, who scored a hat-trick of tries, lifted the league trophy.

Hawks took the lead through George Eastwell’s unconverted try on 18 minutes, but Dorking replied with a Matt Noble penalty.

Fly half James Comben extended Henley’s lead to three points, before Clements went over.

Comben added the extras.

Ryan Jeffery’s converted try reduced the deficit.

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Within minutes of the restart, Cameron Pimlow crossed and Noble added the extras as Dorking swung the match in their favour.

The ding-dong nature of the clash continued when Clements scored his second.

Comben landed the kick.

Dorking responded with two converted tries in seven minutes from Will Crow and Jon Vermont, the second score came after Matt Payne had been sent to the sin-bin.

Henley restored hope when Clements scored his hattrick, but Noble’s penalty stretched Dorking’s lead.

Despite the visitors having Matt Higgins in the bin, Noble pounced on a handling error to score and convert.

Hawks refused to give in and Taylor was forced over, Comben added the extras, to set up a frantic finish, but they were unable to break through.

Chinnor finished sixth after securing a bonus point 38-21 victory at Dings Crusaders.

Jack Hayes, playing in his last game for Chinnor before moving to Rotherham Titans, was first to cross.

Ed Keohane converted.

Ben Manning dotted the ball down to increase their lead.

Dings got on the scoreboard when Oliver Reyland dived under the posts and Mark Woodrow added the extras.

Christian Ostberg was sinbinned but Chinnor stretched their advantage to 19-7 at halftime through Ian Stock.

Reece Boughton added another score, before Robbie Martey raced over. Keohane converted the latter for 31-7.

Stock scored his second and Keohane landed his kick to increase their lead.

However, Dings dominated late on and converted tries from Michele Canulli and Vincent Murrell made Chinnor sweat.