U15’s Division 1

Farnham v Cobham

Result 25 – 7

Another wonderful Sunday morning to play rugby – blue sky, glorious sunshine and very good ground conditions. Perfect conditions in fact, but the Coaches were slightly concerned before the game at what seemed to be the boy’s lack of ‘drive’. What has become clear to the Coaches is that in the case of the A squad, we have to accept that before a game the lads are very quiet, but it certainly does not mean they are not ‘at the races’ when it really matters, and that is on the field.

It was crucial that we got off to a good start against Cobham. We know to our cost over the last few seasons, that if we don’t start well against them then they dictate the game. We did start well, playing the game in their half, and after 6 minutes we scored the first of our four tries with Josh Creedy going over the line, and the conversion being added by Tim Salmon.

The game then continued to be played in Cobham’s half and on 23 minutes Farnham won a penalty, Telfer elected to take the 3 points on offer, and Andy Lloyd duly obliged. As much as Cobham tried to play rugby in our half it was not working for them, due to a really impressive display by all our pack, with Andy Lloyd having an excellent game. The driving and scrummaging was very strong, it has probably been a long time since Cobham have been driven back so forcefully.

Just before half time, from the back of a scrum 15 meters out, there was an ‘8’ pick up, ball played to Toby Finneran who was through in the corner to increase the lead to 15 points.

Half Time 15 – 0.The first part of the second half continued in much the same vein, and  Farnham increased the lead to 25 – 0 with tries from Andy Lloyd and an excellent kick and chase by Hamish Hill, with Sam Young following up to ground the ball. Following this try we seemed to loose our way in the game, and disappointingly individual play took over, instead of playing as a team and sticking to our game plan. For the last 15 minutes it became a very untidy affair, culminating in us allowing Cobham the opportunity to score a converted try, from what was our attacking play in their 22.

Jamie Salmon has told the lads that they, not the Coaches or parents, have set the high benchmark this season, and it is going to require them to concentrate for the full 60 minutes to maintain this standard. Before the game I think all of us would have accepted a win against what has always been a strong Cobham side. Looking back on it now, this was a 40 – 0 game, and if we want to be in the driving seat at the end of the season we have to be more ruthless converting our possession into maximum points, and maintaining our concentration so as not to give away sloppy tries. 

Full Time       Farnham 25 Cobham 7