Four tries from Jonah Holmes helped Henley Hawks crush Chinnor 41-9 in their National 2 South derby at Kingsey Road. Victory saw Henley go through 1,000 point barrier for the season, but it could have been even better had title rivals Worthing not snatched a last-minute win at home to Southend.

Worthing lead the table by seven points from Henley, who have a game in hand.

Wing Holmes, who is on loan from Wasps, was in irrepressible mood on a cold day at Chinnor, while half backs Will Robinson and Luke Carter also stood out in an impressive team display. Chinnor, for their part, did not play that badly, but struggled to cut through a well-organised Hawks defence.

Fly half Sam Angell, drafted in as Will Millett was having an England Under 20 Counties trial, kicked Chinnor ahead with a sixth-minute penalty.

Robinson replied in kind before Angell was again on target, but the hosts could not make the most of their wind advantage.

Instead, Henley struck twice in four minutes.

Firstly, full back Tom Allen finished a try he had created by a break up the middle.

Then, on 23 minutes Holmes showed electric pace to race through after Carter had led a counter attack.

Robinson converted the latter score for 15-6.

Wing Tristan Corpe had a half chance for Chinnor and Angell kicked a third penalty, but the elusive Holmes punished some soft tackling with his second try just before half-time.

Both sides’ line-outs struggled at times, but Chinnor were far less adept at gathering restarts, which only increased the pressure they were under.

It was only a matter of time before Carter sniped over for Henley's bonus-point try, which Robinson converted. Holmes completed his hat-trick just before the hour mark, somehow managing to twist his way over after Robinson, who converted, delayed his pass well.

Chinnor flanker Evan Sawyer was stretchered off with an ankle injury and both sides rang the changes.

There was still time for Holmes’s expertly-finished fourth try, which owed a lot to the quick feet of replacement Richard Briggs.

Robinson converted to take his side past the 40-mark and confirm Chinnor’s heaviest home defeat of the season.

(Report from Oxford Times)