Henley Regretta!

HENLEY were relegated from Division One of the National League last season, but on the evidence of their showing in this match they will bounce straight back.

A bright 15 minutes in the second half apart, Sedgley were never in the hunt and just three minutes had elapsed when Henley won a line-out on their own 10-metre line.

Full-back Michael McNair danced past four would-be tacklers, centre Ric van Zyl applied the finish, Barry Reeves converted and, moments later, kicked a 40-metre penalty. Sedgley trailed 10-0 and had hardly touched the ball.

With virtually no possession at all, Sedgley were defending all the time and still in the game's first quarter, Hawks' left wing Pete Davies showed good footwork to cross in the corner with plenty of time to run behind the posts, Reeves again converting. Sedgley were being outmuscled and outpaced.

A better second quarter was required, and the battling Sedgley team did at least begin to win some possession, only to find the Henley defence well-organised and aggressive.

Possession, hard won, was consequently kicked away as Sedgley ran out of attacking options, but it was particularly unfortunate that the team's best spell ended in disaster with a loose pass was hacked on by the speedy Davies for a 60-metre try.

Sedgley ended the half strongly, but trailed 22-0 at the interval, and this quickly became 25-0 following another handling error and subsequent penalty, and a real hammering was on the cards.

However, Sedgley now put together a sustained period of good rugby. Full-back Chris Glynn, safe as houses under the high ball, had been one of the few to impress in the first half. Now he ghosted past several tacklers to achieve an attacking position.

Winger Jon Scales used his power to set up the ruck from which the ball was moved wide, and centre Jim Naylor scored.

Better was to follow. Scrum-half Dave McCormack made the break, Glynn supported and Naylor completed the try which Glynn converted to make it 25-12.

Moments later, Naylor went streaking towards the left corner, but was tackled just short. Sedgley were on a roll and victory was not out of the question.

Optimistic thoughts were cruelly dashed as Henley scored again. There appeared to be more than a hint of obstruction in the centre before wing Nnambi Obi scored in the corner.

He had had few running chances, but now he too revealed nimble footwork and left a couple of Sedgley defenders sprawling. Reeves added the touchline conversion and Sedgley were down and out.

Stand-0ff Reeves played a large part in the final try. Picking up the ball at the base of a ruck he found no Sedgley player in front of him, van Zyl was in support for his second try and Reeves converted.

SEDGLEY PARK: Glynn; Scales, Naylor, Hassan (Bullough), Wilcock; Moon, McCormack; Rudolph (Alcock), Treco, Thomas; Arnold, Rees; Grainey, Yates, Fourie.