Farnham lose in tough season opener

The new season and a visit to Battersea Ironsides unbeaten last season and worthy champions on Surrey Division 1. Farnham determined to bounce back after their relegation from London Division 2.

A warm late summer day greeted both teams to Garrett Green in South London and the Irish referee commenced the 2015/16 season with a shrill blast. The Farnham kick-off was swallowed up by the Ironsides pack and a driving maul of twenty metres set the pattern. The home side were determined to wear down the resolve of the lighter Farnham pack. Precise tactics and early season mistakes gave Farnham opportunities and after a well worked line-out won by debutant Ben Adams, fly-half Toby Salmon drew a penalty after an inside break. Brother and captain Mike was just wide with kick at goal.

On drove the Irons pack with Farnham picking off any mistakes at the breakdown. After a succession of attacks and swarming defence from Corlett, the Salmon brothers and wingers Weeks and Bremner, former skipper Toby Comley hacks on a loose ball twice to make fifty metres to under the Irons posts. One more kick! No! The 'funny-shaped ball' plays tricks resulting in a knock on - no try.

Early season sparring reached the 20 minute mark. Then Ironsides, strong at the scrum and driving mauls from the line-out, drive into the Farnham 22. Penalty at the ruck and Battersea take the lead 3-0.

More pressure in the Farnham 22 results in a booming clearance kick to the Ironsides winger. He gathers at full pace with intent. Boom! Through two tackles and a scything run takes him under the posts - easy extras and 10-0 to the Irons.

A wake up call for Farnham who win the kick off and drive through the middle with Olly Brown results in a penalty but another miss from the normally metronomic Mike Salmon. Back come the visitors and a break infield by Bremner frees Toby Salmon under the posts. brother Mike completes the simple conversion and its 10-7.

With half time approaching Farnham concede a soft cut-back try to go in 17-7 down. There’s work to be done.

Farnham are still in reverse at maul and scrum. It is difficult to see how games can be won off the back foot. Farnham’s former Torquay Athletic number 8 Dan Williams had to work hard at every scrum to secure ball whilst in retreat. Credit to him that he managed to do it and make valuable yardage.

The pressure was beginning to tell as the Ironsides clinched the match in a telling five minute period. Penalty to the corner. Catch and drive. Score 22-7. They repeat the process and a scrum -half snipe takes the score to 27-7. With the bonus point secured, further pressure brings a penalty 30-7.

Game over? Farnham will not lie down and the introduction of Tim - the third Salmon brother (sons of dual England and All Black International Jamie Salmon) - seems to galvanise the Farnham back division. Turnover ball in the 22 and swift hands result in skipper Mike Salmon over out wide. With the clock running down another break out and a stunning run from Toby Comley sixty metres - support from available both to his left and right deemed unnecessary – puts him under the posts. The conversion successful, the score was 30-19 with five minutes remaining. Again Farnham attack. But it is too little, too late.

A deserved home win for the Ironsides after a dominant performance by their forwards backed by penetration from their three quarters. A good side they will do well in this league.

Farnham will need some bolstering in the pack to win sufficient ball for what promises to be the most exciting back division in the league. Much to do but plenty of games to come.
Next Saturday the 1st XV are away at New Milton.