Henley Men’s 2s took on league leaders Sonning Men’s 2s in a closely contested match at Sonning Hockey Club. Despite Sonning’s strong form this season, Henley pushed them to the limit in a game that was decided by the finest of margins.

The first half saw both teams create chances, with Henley showing resilience and determination to challenge their table-topping opponents. The match’s most controversial moment came when Tim Herbert broke through the Sonning defence and was tripped by the advancing goalkeeper inside the circle. Henley’s appeals for a penalty stroke were waved away by the umpire, leaving the visitors frustrated. Both sides continued to threaten, but the goalkeepers were equal to the task, ensuring the game remained goalless at halftime.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Henley matching Sonning stride for stride. Henley’s forwards worked tirelessly to unlock the league leaders’ defence, while their backline put in a disciplined and composed display to frustrate the hosts.

As the game approached its conclusion, it appeared destined to end in a stalemate. However, in the dying minutes, Sonning earned a penalty corner. A powerful drag flick took an unfortunate deflection off a Henley defender’s stick, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and giving Sonning the decisive goal.

Despite the setback, Henley continued to push for an equaliser, applying pressure in the closing moments, but Sonning’s defence held firm to protect their narrow 1–0 lead.

Henley can take great pride in their performance, pushing the league leaders to the brink and proving they can compete with the best. The team will take confidence from this display as they prepare for the next challenge, knowing they were just a stroke of luck away from a different result.