Henley 26 Rugby Lions 26

RUGBY LIONS recovered from their huge defeat a week before to earn a draw in a hard-fought but error-strewn game. Lions needed to make full use of the blustery wind at their backs and took an early lead with James Hawken’s penalty. But Henley took the lead on 10 minutes with Neil Baggett’s try converted by Danny Wells. Wells added his own try seven minutes later for a 12-3 lead.

Lions hit back in heavy rain with Stuart Riding’s converted try, only for Wells to reply with a penalty. A Hawken penalty preceded a flurry of scuffles that held up play for five minutes.

In the second half, Lions kicked two penalties to Henley’s one for an 19-18 lead on 52 minutes. Lions gifted Stean Williams a try on 66 minutes before Matt Goode’s converted try restored Lions’ advantage on 78 minutes.

But Wells’ penalty tied the scores for a draw both sides deserved.