The result might have been predictable, but the scoreline flattered the Old Wellingtonians, in this London 4 South West League clash on Saturday. Having “trained” two weeks previously when the referee failed to show, the two sides were well acquainted, and despite their different positions in the league table, this was a well contested game.
Old Wellingtonians kicked off, and following an uncharacteristic knock on by the Farnham openside found themselves immediately on the attack with a scrum inside the Farnham half. However, unlike Farnham’s performance in the previous match, the charity stopped then and there, as Farnham’s much improved defence repeatedly drove the Old Wellingtonians back and generated a fair amount of turnover ball. As the half progressed Farnham began to gain territory, and they looked like scoring from a well marshalled forward drive only for the ball to spill forwards. Old Wellintonians fly hacked forwards, and despite Farnham getting back to cover, the attempted clearance kick was charged down leading to the opening score of the match.
Undetered Farnham went straight back at the opposition, and managed to link several phases of play together only to be turned over as the line beckoned. Previously Old Wellingtonians would have capitalised on this turnover ball, but Farnham defended manfully with a number of crunching tackles. With Simon Lewis returning to the team to add some much needed organisation and hunger for the tackle, the young Farnham players rose to the occasion, often winning the ball and then losing it due to a lack of sufficient support. When Old Wellingtonians did score again it came from a single missed tackle after a penalty move, and despite the opposition scoring another try before the half time whistle sounded, Farnham were firmly in the game, if lacking in a little self belief.
In the second half Farnham began to tire, and the referee’s decision to allow repeated quick tap penalties saw the defence fractured on a number of occasions. To their credit Farnham refused to give up, with Eric Gregory and James Worlidge to fore in the forward battle, and Chris Dury and Jonny Andrews tackling their hearts out in the midfield. The scrum went generally well again, and James Franklin managed to disrupt the opposition lineout frequently, to keep Farnham in the game, but Old Wellingtonains are not joint top of the league for nothing, and eventually their class told.
Afterwards Farnham Captain Graeme Black was keen to recognise the improvement in his side’s performance, and having been unable to take an active part in the beer games after the match, promised to sponsor an evening at the club next weekend. Once again the numbers at training have been good, and with other teams struggling to get players out Farnham continue to build their new team. New members are always welcome, and can attend training at the club on Tuesdays (7.15p.m. start) or Thursdays on the Polo Fields at Aldershot (7.15 p.m. start), or can contact membership secretary Simon Debenham (01252 673584) for further information.
Old Wellingtonians did run out deserved winners, but knew that they had been in a game, and were completely outclassed in the bar afterwards!
