Leach and Cassar bag hat-tricks for league leaders

COUNTIES 1 Tribute Ale Southern North League leaders Henley 2nds maintained their 100 per cent record as they defeated county rivals Wallingford at Dry Leas last Saturday.

The hosts opened the scoring when Toby Howe kicked forward, chased his own kick and turned the ball over.

With Henley on the front foot the ball was moved swiftly to Will Leach to dot down in the corner. Leach was soon in for his second, good work from the forwards rumbling towards the line before the backs spun it wide for him to score in the corner.

Wallingford continued to make Henley work hard but some big ball carries were met with some well-timed double hits from Isaac Small and Morgan Poiner, with Christian Floyd and Charlie Thomas joining in on the action.

Henley’s backs looked dangerous when they had the ball in space and it was Beesley’s break that led to the next try, scrum half Tom Longley spotted a gap in the ruck and dived through it to dot down. This made it 17-0 at half-time.

Henley scored first in the second half, a strong carry from the newly introduced Ollie Rouiller allowed Max Titchener to chip and chase his own kick to score. Wallingford bounced straight back with a try of their own.

The score remained unchanged for 20 minutes before Henley opened up. Good handling from the backs saw Will Cassar score with his first touch of the ball. A chip and regather from Titchener in his own half saw the ball moved to the Small who sprinted in from 50m out. Former Henley colt Josh Livesey then pulled one back for Wallingford.

Leach then completed his hat-trick, another flowing set of handling from the backs saw him dot down in the corner. Soon after, it was Cassar in for his second try, again after good handling from the Henley back line.

In the last play of the match, Henley had the opportunity to kick the ball out but decided to play. Jimmy Leach set Tom David on his way down the touchline. The ball was recycled and swung back the other way to allow Cassar to get his hat-trick. A conversion from out wide completed the scoring.