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Sat 12 Nov 2016
Aylesford Bulls
1st XV
3
42
Reshuffled Farnham eventually batter the Bulls.
Mark Weeks14 Nov 2016 - 14:35
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This is a Groundhog Day repeat of last week
A new look to the Farnham 1st team squad as they made their first ever journey to Aylesford in Kent for this round of the RFU cup. Debuts for Reece Stennett, with proud Dad and former first team coach Gary looking on, Cameron Armstrong and Tom Kelly plus continued runs for Academy stars Jordan Frost and Ben Jones in for Oli Brown at scrum half.
New teams and combinations are bound to have teething problems and so it proved. With Pete Daly moved to second row to partner James Franklin and a back row of Dan Williams, Jason Crabb and Jordan Frost, the power from the pack never reached league game intensity.
The weather didn't help, the first miserable day of the Autumn, low cloud, persistent drizzle and a constant drip from the under-assessment referee.
The first quarter was forgettable with some good phases of play spoilt by a woeful final pass or, frustratingly, a fumble at the base of the ruck or scrum. A pedantic referee didn't aid the flow and I trust his assessor noted six penalties shared between both sides for very similar confusing line-out offences. A get-together of all sixteen forwards to explain his requirements would surely have eased the confusion. Props looking nonplussed is not a pretty sight.
Farnham are fortunate to have game breakers throughout the team and despite having 60-70 percent possession the Bulls never looked like breaching the Visitors' defence. The defence stood firm and with Corlett and returning skipper Michael Salmon making inroads, Farnham began to string phases together. Quick ball to Toby Salmon - game breaker personified - to scamper 70 metres for the opener. Easy extras for him as well.
Aylesford are not enjoying the best of seasons. Having just missed promotion last year, they now languish at the bottom of London SE 3 having lost all their games. Having lost their "stars" to bigger neighbours, they are young side this season bolstered by old heads in the pack and at centre. The home crowd and the team enjoy the game and their spirit throughout was relentless. They too, however, suffered from poor handling or decision making.
On 26 minutes a revelation for all! The referee liked a line out! At the ensuing maul is Trodden on the burst from the base, on to Naisbitt through the middle with an offload to Ben Jones. Try and easy extras for Salmon.T. 0-14 Farnham. In defending the try Bulls suffered a double blow as flanker and scrum half collided. A lengthy delay ensued as both were assessed and respectful applause as they departed the fray.
Frustrations at the breakdown and line-out continued as the game meandered towards the interval.
The first quarter of the second half was a repeat of the first. Possession for the Bulls met by mean spirited defence from Farnham. Scrum changes and Pete Daly reverting to 8 balanced the set pieces and increased the power. At last a competitive Farnham are on the front foot. The Bulls are beginning to wilt.
Their last foray earns them a penalty and an easy three. 3-14. But the energy levels have gone from the home squad. All their substitutions have been made so no reinforcements. So Farnham plunder for the final twenty minutes. Eventual podium winner Jason Crabb back to his best over under the posts with extras for Toby Salmon.
This is a Groundhog Day repeat of last week - batter the opposition for an hour then reap the reward.
From the restart Armstrong to Charlie Badgery on the burst and infield to Tom Kelly to the half way line. The ever alert Toby Salmon is freed up by Dan Williams and a romp to the posts plus the add-ons 3-28.
The pressure has told on the home defence and Farnham with no pressure are now assured in their handling and support. Another surge by Dan Williams frees up an unstoppable Lennie Jennings to score his try and another conversion for Toby Salmon.
The floodlights are on. The drizzle continues. But at least something for the visiting faithful to cheer. Crabb deservedly rounds off proceedings with the final move of the match - crashing over under the posts to bring symmetry to the score - 6 tries and 6 out 6 conversions for Toby Salmon.
The changes were bound to take a while to bed in and the greasy ball and confusing style of the referee did little to help the flow of the game. The pluses of blooding the Academy players - Reece Stennett, Ben Jones, Jordan Frost, Tom Kelly plus UCA student Cameron Armstrong will give them all vital experience for the remaining cup and league games. The Farnham Squad continues to grow.
Podium
Jason Crabb - back to his best two tries - 3
James Corlett - 2 Steady Eddie on the crash
Dan Williams - 1 enjoying himself at the moment
New teams and combinations are bound to have teething problems and so it proved. With Pete Daly moved to second row to partner James Franklin and a back row of Dan Williams, Jason Crabb and Jordan Frost, the power from the pack never reached league game intensity.
The weather didn't help, the first miserable day of the Autumn, low cloud, persistent drizzle and a constant drip from the under-assessment referee.
The first quarter was forgettable with some good phases of play spoilt by a woeful final pass or, frustratingly, a fumble at the base of the ruck or scrum. A pedantic referee didn't aid the flow and I trust his assessor noted six penalties shared between both sides for very similar confusing line-out offences. A get-together of all sixteen forwards to explain his requirements would surely have eased the confusion. Props looking nonplussed is not a pretty sight.
Farnham are fortunate to have game breakers throughout the team and despite having 60-70 percent possession the Bulls never looked like breaching the Visitors' defence. The defence stood firm and with Corlett and returning skipper Michael Salmon making inroads, Farnham began to string phases together. Quick ball to Toby Salmon - game breaker personified - to scamper 70 metres for the opener. Easy extras for him as well.
Aylesford are not enjoying the best of seasons. Having just missed promotion last year, they now languish at the bottom of London SE 3 having lost all their games. Having lost their "stars" to bigger neighbours, they are young side this season bolstered by old heads in the pack and at centre. The home crowd and the team enjoy the game and their spirit throughout was relentless. They too, however, suffered from poor handling or decision making.
On 26 minutes a revelation for all! The referee liked a line out! At the ensuing maul is Trodden on the burst from the base, on to Naisbitt through the middle with an offload to Ben Jones. Try and easy extras for Salmon.T. 0-14 Farnham. In defending the try Bulls suffered a double blow as flanker and scrum half collided. A lengthy delay ensued as both were assessed and respectful applause as they departed the fray.
Frustrations at the breakdown and line-out continued as the game meandered towards the interval.
The first quarter of the second half was a repeat of the first. Possession for the Bulls met by mean spirited defence from Farnham. Scrum changes and Pete Daly reverting to 8 balanced the set pieces and increased the power. At last a competitive Farnham are on the front foot. The Bulls are beginning to wilt.
Their last foray earns them a penalty and an easy three. 3-14. But the energy levels have gone from the home squad. All their substitutions have been made so no reinforcements. So Farnham plunder for the final twenty minutes. Eventual podium winner Jason Crabb back to his best over under the posts with extras for Toby Salmon.
This is a Groundhog Day repeat of last week - batter the opposition for an hour then reap the reward.
From the restart Armstrong to Charlie Badgery on the burst and infield to Tom Kelly to the half way line. The ever alert Toby Salmon is freed up by Dan Williams and a romp to the posts plus the add-ons 3-28.
The pressure has told on the home defence and Farnham with no pressure are now assured in their handling and support. Another surge by Dan Williams frees up an unstoppable Lennie Jennings to score his try and another conversion for Toby Salmon.
The floodlights are on. The drizzle continues. But at least something for the visiting faithful to cheer. Crabb deservedly rounds off proceedings with the final move of the match - crashing over under the posts to bring symmetry to the score - 6 tries and 6 out 6 conversions for Toby Salmon.
The changes were bound to take a while to bed in and the greasy ball and confusing style of the referee did little to help the flow of the game. The pluses of blooding the Academy players - Reece Stennett, Ben Jones, Jordan Frost, Tom Kelly plus UCA student Cameron Armstrong will give them all vital experience for the remaining cup and league games. The Farnham Squad continues to grow.
Podium
Jason Crabb - back to his best two tries - 3
James Corlett - 2 Steady Eddie on the crash
Dan Williams - 1 enjoying himself at the moment
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