Farnham Academy 35 Bracknell Academy 7

On a rare day where the Wrecclesham pitches offered perfect conditions for running rugby and with no league points at stake the Academy Coach encouraged Farnham’s emerging rugby talent to ‘try everything’ and provide a good crowd of spectators with a feast of attacking rugby.  Sure enough the Academy delivered by running in five tries to one.
  
Farnham attacked from the start with flankers James Morris and Ed Weeks making inroads into the Bracknell 22. Olly Todd settled in well as stand-in scrum half and gave a good service to the Farnham backs. Skipper and fly half Ben Rubio with centres Tom O’Connell and Michael Salmon kept up the momentum created by the forwards and released full back Gabe Hills who jinked though the defence to open the Academy’s account by touching down under the posts.

An abrasive Bracknell XV were determined to disrupt the pace of the Farnham attacks and things threatened to get out of hand.  But Farnham remained focussed on the game. They were quicker to the breakdown, turned over ball at the ruck and again Gabe Hills was released to score out wide.  Another successful conversion saw Farnham double the lead to 14-0.

The forwards were now beginning to dominate and the front row of Joe Curran, Chris Hughes and Sam Gray, backed by Craig Macey and Jack Babayan in the second row began to turn the screw. After a series of line-outs in the Bracknell 22, Joe Curran was driven over the try-line.  A flawless touchline conversion from Rubio gave Farnham a 21-0 lead at the break.

With the breeze at their backs Farnham expected to extend their lead in the second half however Bracknell came back with renewed and sometimes overly physical effort. This was a test for a Farnham side that has over reacted to such tactics in the past. However, the lessons have been learned and the Academy kept their heads through an intimidating period to extend the lead. 

The Bracknell No 7 was sin binned for an incident off the ball and from the resultant tap penalty quick ball released Jack Babayan who galloped to the line where, checked, he slipped a sympathetic pass to Ben Rubio who scored by the posts. An easy conversion and Farnham were virtually out of sight at 28-0. 

A further period of constant pressure through backs and forwards saw Rubio once again in space and able to score with a brilliant individual flourish.

Bracknell managed a consolation try at the end to close out this feisty and always exciting encounter.

The Academy used all 24 players in the game which is a testament to the depth of spirit and drive within the Club during a difficult season. .