Farnham Under 16s lost a close battle against league rivals Old Ruts on a sun lit, frosty morning at the Wrecclesham ground.  The game could have gone either way and the only score of the match was the result of a moments indecision on the wing when dealing with a penalty kick to the flank from the Old Ruts fly half.

A willingness to kick was a feature of this game that enjoyed few passages of open play.  The cloying surface of the main pitch on what should have been a perfect day for rugby was much to blame.

Having said that, despite missing some players through injury, Farnham seemed to have the better of the opposition for most of the game.  Those who usually play from the bench but made a start acquitted themselves well and when fit, those players who missed the game will have to work hard to get their positions back. The return of Ben Rubio to outside half with Tom O'Connell's cultured boot at inside centre kept the team going forward.  Furthermore, as in previous games this season, with the one exception, the Farnham defence held firm.  The game was end to end with Farnham missing a clear chance to score a try in the corner following indecisive defence not unlike that which eventually let in Old Ruts. Indeed, until the moment that Old Ruts scored, it was an exciting spectacle despite the lack of running rugby.

At that point Farnham's discipline deserted them and certain players began to take their frustration out verbally with the referee.  The skipper was binned for back chat 15 minutes from time and no sooner had he returned to the pitch than another Farnham player was given his marching orders for the same indiscretion.  Although Farnham held Old Ruts out and even made a couple of chances, there was not way back in such an evenly fought contest for 14 men.

Hopefully this is the last time this season that we witness such behaviour.  Costing us the game is bad enough, sullying the good name of Farnham Rugby Club is just plain unacceptable.