HENLEY Hawks were forced to dig deep in seeing off winless Exmouth 43-38 at Dry Leas.

The hosts were on top in the early stages, with Xavier Andre and Ziana Montout-Alexis going over.

George Jackson converted both to make it 14-0.

Exmouth had Jack Fahy sin-binned, but they went on to reduce the deficit to four points.

George Meadows kicked a penalty, before converting Dan Powell’s try.

But Hawks responded, thanks to fly half Joe Butler’s brilliant individual effort. Jackson added the extras to make it 21-10.

Moments later, though, the visitors hit back as Henry Goldson intercepted a pass to go over, Meadows converting.

Hawks had a disastrous start to the second period as a knock-on put Exmouth on the attack.

They drove towards the line and Sam Thomas touched down, with Goldson converting to put them ahead.

But it was short lived as the home side hit back through Liam O’Neill’s converted try to make it 28-24.

Once again, though, slack play from the hosts led to another Exmouth score, Powell taking advantage.

Meadows added the extras to put the visitors 31-28 in front.

Defeat looked on the cards, but Hawks rallied, with Jackson kicking a penalty, before Tom Gardner’s unconverted try.

And with seven minutes to go, Butler broke clear from his own half and beat the covering defenders to go over.

Jackson converted to make it 43-31.

Sam Conway then crossed for the visitors, with Meadows adding the extras, and there was still drama as Exmouth had a late try disallowed for offside.