Waldon and Mercer impress for Henley

HENLEY COLTS, playing their first match for almost a month, ran out winners in their home league clash with Witney in a game that was nip and tuck and was in the balance until the final whistle.

The match started at a pace, a penalty in midfield saw Harry Beesley catch the opponents off guard, his chip and chase resulted in the first score.

Witney came back and used their forward size to get back on terms. Henley bounced back, again from a penalty, Harry Waldron showed power and strength to crash over.

Witney then took control, using their power from the forwards they forced Henley on to the back foot and resulted in a yellow card for captain Jack Bradbury.

Witney scored three tries, one of which was a penalty try. However, with the last play of the half, Henley struck back. Beau Tredwell carried well before Elliot Deacon was caught just short. Ewan Aiken was alert to the space on the blindside and dived over to reduce the deficit to 28-21.

Henley struck first in the second half, good handling and strong carries took play deep into the Witney red zone before Jacob Troskie powered his way over.

This phase of the game was played in the middle and it was a physical attrition affair before smooth hands from the backs allowed Tredwell to drive in. With Henley on the front foot, they were able to use their handling skills to get the ball out wide for Deacon to show his strength to drive over.

Witney did get one score back to make it a tight finish, but Henley held out to win by five points in a match that saw Waldron and Noah Mercer share the man-of-the-match award.