Henley 2s battle to regain form

Henley 2s suffered another home defeat last week, this time at the hands of in form Sonning 2s. Henley's recent form had done little to suggest that this game would be any more than an uphill battle, mainly in their own minds - after all winning is a habit, but so it would seem is losing.

The home team were well stocked with ability and numbers, and hopes of a turn around were high. The game started well for both sides and it promised be a decent match-up, however despite some ascendency by Henley, the visitors soon took charge and converted from a penalty corner. With their tails up, they piled on the pressure and doubled their lead, making Henley pay for mistakes in the circle. Henley worked hard to get back into the game with some resolute defending and no lack of endeavour, though the constant surrendering of possession cheaply stifled any continuity. Glimmers of hope returned when Toby Pratt stepped up to convert two penalty corners towards the end of the half.

Honours even at the break and an opportunity for the Henley side to build on hard-won parity. Again, hopes were snuffed out when Sonning pounced on another Henley error to score their third, leaving the home team to wonder how to claw themselves out of the hole they had dug for themselves. Chances were available to do just that, but good goalkeeping and the lack of poise in front of goal were their undoing this week. With Henley chasing the game, Sonning were able to exploit gaps and space at the back, with the final sucker punch coming seconds before the end of the game to make it a 5-2 defeat for Henley.