Farnham opened their league campaign at home to local rivals Camberley in glorious sunny conditions onSaturday. Prior to the start of the match the very successful Farnham U11 team played an exhibition match, and with a pre-match lunch also taking place in the clubhouse, there was a good sized crowd to cheer on the home team.

After some early exchanges, Camberley edged ahead with two penalties following a Farnham offside and failure to release the ball in the tackle. Initially Camberley drove strongly through their forwards, but the Farnham defence stood up to the task and gradually the home team came more into the game. Following a period of territorial advantage Andy James kicked a penalty to put Farnham back in the game, but shortly afterwards captain Adam Christie was forced from the field with a leg injury.

With Farnham under pressure in the scrum, but otherwise competing gamely, James missed a second penalty chance, and Farnham were disappointed to concede a try just before half time to leave the visitors in front 11-3.  The message at half time was that Farnham needed to get quicker ball at scrum time, with their pack getting tighter and lower, and that they could not afford to miss any first up tackles. Once again Farnham had some territory, but their backline play lacked penetration, and they were unable to get forward runners into the game. Following a period of Camberley pressure they scored another converted try, and with fly half Sticky Lewis being forced off injured and winger Sven Kolczak and fullback Andy James both carrying injuries there looked to be no way back for Farnham.

To their credit the team did get back into the match with veteran Karl Brown, on as a backrow replacement, pulling the strings as the Farnham pack began to maul the ball to good effect, forcing Camberley into pulling the maul down illegally on a number of occasions. With Farnham now dominating Camberley Brown was unfortunate to have one try ruled out from a penalty catch and drive as being held up, when the choice of three points might in hindsight have been the better option. Shortly afterwards Camberley were powerless to stop a well deserved score as the Farnham pack drove Brown over for a good score, converted by Marklew. At last Farnham began to get forward runners surging into the Camberley defence, and with some quicker ball the backline had the chance to move the ball wide. With time now against Farnham they had one last penalty chance, and went for a kick for the corner only for the ball to be kicked dead, and shortly afterwards the final whistle sounded.

A disappointing result, but Farnham should take heart with the players raising their game at the end, and a number of players stepping up to the 1^st XV for the first time.  However, a commitment to training and the search for new talent remain key priorities as the club attempts to rebuild in preparation for the move to a new ground, and Farnham will have to raise their standards if they are to be competitive in the league this year.