As seems to be the tradition in Combe’s encounters with Henley Hawks it is the away side which tends to come away with the win. Saturday was no exception and a fine second half performance from Henley Hawks secured a much-needed victory for the visitors. The fightback was led by Henley's star player Leo Webb and the boot of Toby Howe.

The opening phases were scrappy as both sides struggled to develop attacking continuity, but Combe were first on the board when a third successive line out drive was finished by Combe’s Nick Cook. Max Brown’s conversion went wide and when Combe were pinged for offside in front of the posts the boot of Hawks’ centre Callum Jones narrowed the gap to 5-3. Combe’s lead was extended when a trademark Cook break from an attacking scrum was finished by Toby Wallace. Max Brown slotting a challenging kick to make it 12-3 at the break.

Hawks started the second period positively and dangerous scrum-half Leo Webb jinked neatly from the base of the scrum to send flanker Fin Basil in for the score. Henley were showing a fair element of survival instincts and kept up the pressure in the danger zone That pressure was converted into points, replacement Oskar White scoring from a 5m scrum. Toby Howe’s conversion gave Hawks the lead for the first time at 13-15.

Combe got the lead back when Naj Mundichee powered over from a line out making it 19-15. But Henley showed resolve to win a tight match when Webb took a quick tap to score under the posts and Howe’s conversion, and last-minute penalty delivered the victory.

Half-time score: Westcombe Park 12-3 Henley Hawks
Scorers:
Westcombe Park:
Tries: Nick Cook (13), Toby Wallace (33), Naj Mundichee (68)
Conversions: Max Brown (34), Mikel Davies (69)
Penalties
Henley
Tries: Finley Basil (43), Oskar White (60), Leo Webb (72)
Conversions: Toby Howe (61,73)
Penalties: Callum Jones (18) Toby Howe (79)