Esher withstood a fighting comeback from Hawks to make it eight wins on the bounce.
The visitors were ahead within three minutes, prop Jacob Morris powering through from close range and Matt Dalrymple converting, while an injury to lock Ben Elsey made life even tougher for Henley.
Power up front proved the key to Esher's second try as well, another powerful driving maul on 16 finished off by Sam Westmacott before Dalrymple added the extras.
Hawks hit back six minutes later, hooker Cornell Kinniburgh capitalising on his pack's push, Michael Cooke converting and then adding a penalty soon after as the difference was cut to just four points.
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Two tries just before the interval put Es back in charge.
First, wing Alex Gribben speeding over and then a turnover in midfield enabling scrum-half Pierre Thompson to race over unopposed, Dalrymple capping the second to make it 26-10 at the interval.
Centre Callum Jones gave the hosts hope with a try five minutes into the second half, taking advantage of a fine break from wing Aaron Bello.
That was cancelled out 10 minutes later, a patient build-up from the visitors rewarded for prop Will McKenna to pierce the gap which appeared, ensuring a bonus point, and Dalrymple converting again for 33-15.
Henley struck for a third time on the hour as full-back Tom Molhoek sprinted through while a second for Jones - Cooke converting - ensured his side would at least finish with a point as the gap between the sides dwindled to six points.
Esher were not to be defied, though, Lewis Pickford touching down from another maul to send them home still in second place, four points behind Oundle.
Es host mid-table Colchester at Molesey Road on Saturday.
Games to come (3pm unless stated) - November 14: Colchester (H); 21: Old Albanians (A); December 5: Dorking (H); 12: Leicester Lions (A, 2pm); 19: Havant (A).
January 9: Canterbury (H); 16: Barnes (A, 2pm); 23: Westcombe Pk (H); February 6: London Welsh (A, 2.30pm); 13: Guernsey (H, 2pm); 20: Jersey (A); March 6: Henley (H); 13:
Colchester (A); 20: Old Albanians (H); April 3: Dorking (A); 10: Leicester Lions (H); 17: Oundle (H)
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