Showing what they could do with a full XV, Farnham Academy beat a strong Tottonian Colts side 17-7 at Wrecclesham. On a perfect afternoon for rugby, Farnham flew out of the traps showing the talent and work ethic that permeates the squad. Within five minutes they were 7 points up. James Morris ripped the ball from an opposition maul and dived over for a short range try for Ben Rubio to convert.

Farnham had closed on the Tottonian try line through a combination of solid forward play and good hands and feet from the backs. Ben Rubio at fly half kept Farnham going forward and was comfortable in the knowledge that, if under pressure, he could spin he ball out to Michael Salmon or Tom O’Connell who, with equal skill, would pin the opposition in their own half.

As a result, before half time Jamie Bucknall and Hector Hoyte Bone crossed the line for Farnham after flowing moves involving forwards and backs. Indeed Farnham could have scored more had not the best move of the match, starting in the Farnham 22 and passing through upteen pairs of hands, been spilt forward on the try line.

Tottonians, who showed great determination throughout the game, came out of the half time huddle a different team. Receiving the kick-off, their driving maul took them deep into Farnham territory from where concerted pressure finished by a silky run from their inside centre saw them score under the posts.

That was the last of the "champagne rugby" as the game then lost some of its shape with both coaches rotating their squads for this non-league fixture.

"For 60 minutes, this was Academy rugby at its finest," said Farnham coach Geoff Bond. "The boys on both sides enjoyed themselves in a close game played in excellent spirit with no quarter given or taken. There was an immense amount of talent on show for a good crowd of spectators. Craig Macey was Farnham man of the match. He’s everywhere all match long working hard to create the platform for his team mates."