Farnham crush Sussex League Leaders

The pitch was soft underfoot but clear skies provided an ideal setting on the Sussex Club's new ground.
Farnham made their intentions from the start with back rowers Tom Burnham, Richard PHilips and Dean Chiverton setting up a series of drives through flimsy Hill defence. A line-out on seven minutes saw quick ball across a rampant three quarter line to skipper winger Toby Comley who scored wide out - Ben Rubio adding the extras. 7-0 Farnham.

The subsequent kick off was caught by Burnham who tacked infield to suck in the Hill forwards before feeding full back Dave Hurley - Hurley set off on a mazy 75 yard run supported by winger Gabe Hills who took the final pass to cross under the posts. Again Rubio chipped over the conversion.

Burgess Hill were in disarray and began a series of rolling driving mauls, however, much of their work was in vain as Farnham once again turned over the ball and following a break out by Chas Penn Farnham were awarded a scrum inside the Hill 22 and Gabe Hills was once more released, chinking past three defenders to score in the corner. 19-0

This was turning into a rout and on 21 minutes Comley rounded the defence to score in the corner. The Farnham forwards were winning ball at all situations and releasing their dangerous back division into seemingly acres of space. The Sussex Champions were being dismantled by the fine running rugby of the Surrey One league leaders and the game was virtually over by the 35th minute after further converted tries by centres James Corlett and Chas Penn. Farnham were out of sight by half-time at 40-0.

Farnham work hard as a unit and despite the injury to Ben Rubio replaced at scrum half by skipper Toby Comley they continued to dominate proceedings. The front row were pressurising their opposite numbers and with an engine room of Peter Daly and Lennox - Burgess Hill were in for a torrid second period.

Playing down the slope Farnham had soon extended their lead with winger Hills completing his hat trick - this back division are all confident with the ball in hand and conjure space from nothing. A cricket score seemed to be in the offing however whether the increasingly greasy conditions or a collective foot of the pedal ended hostilities the Farnham spectators were only treated to one more score - deservedly from the rampaging Daly and with the score on 54-0 Coaches Barry Warner, Peter Simmons and Gary Stennett could ring the changes with run outs for benchies Tom Foster, Tariq, Mike Burton et al.

For an hour Farnham had played superb rugby crushing a spirited Burgess Hill XV. The power of the forwards provides the platform and the interplay within the three quarter line is superb with the guile of Ben Rubio aligned to the playmaking skills of brothers Chris and Chas Penn. This coupled with the direct running of James Corlett and the pace of the back three Comley, Hills and full back Hurley continues to show case delightful fluid running rugby.

From the Coaches perspective, and they will always find fault, the game did fall away - three or four tries were frittered away and in closer games this would be costly. If Farnham keep the pressure on for the full eighty minutes they will raise their own already high standards.

A tremendous win extending the unbeaten run to seven straight wins - the strength of the squad continues to ensure that competition for places is keen which stands the Club in good stead in the run up to the Christmas break. The Autumn Internationals disrupt the junior rugby programme the next game scheduled for the 24th November at old rivals Kingston.