HENLEY Hawks suffered an agonising defeat when they lost 20-17 to Taunton Titans with the last kick of the game at Dry Leas.

With the scores at 17-17 in the final minute of the National League 2 South clash, the hosts conceded a penalty, which the nerveless Gary Kingdom landed to secure victory.

It was the second time in two years that the Somerset side had beaten Henley with the the last kick.

The hosts, who are seeking a top-six finish, looked in control, when they led 17-7 after two tries from Connor Hayhow.

But they failed to sustain the pace in the second half.

Hawks took the lead with one of their first attacks.

A quick tap caught the visitors asleep and centre Hayhow ran in under the posts unopposed. Scrum half George Jackson converted for an early 7-0 lead.

Taunton replied when No 8 Ben Oliphant-Thompson managed to scoop up a loose ball from a side of a ruck and power over for a try, which Kingdom converted from in front of the posts.

As soon as Titans drew level they conceded once more.

Following a kick upfield, Hayhow gathered and danced through several defenders without being touched to score under the posts.

Jackson once again added the extras and then kicked a penalty five minutes before half-time to open up a ten-point lead.

Just before half-time, Oliphant-Thompson scored his second try after a set of driving plays by the Taunton forwards.

Kingdom converted to make it 17-14 at the break.

With no let-up in the conditions the winner was going to be the team that could control the ball.

A penalty by Kingdom levelled the scores with 30 minutes left.

Hawks could not take advantage when Taunton were reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of Stu Persey for a high tackle.

In the dying moments, the under pressure hosts conceded two penalties, the second of which Kingdom converted to clinch the four points.

GROVE’s match away to Old Centralians in South West 1 East on Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.