Rugby - rugby - rugby. A sad weekend for England supporters - no forwards, no enforcer in the second row, no mongrel behind and nothing from the disorganised backs. England were appalling! The Coach will be blamed as he should be..................................... enough!!

However, there was something for local rugby supporters to cheer at Monkton Lane earlier that afternoon. Untidy though it was, the match will record a win for Farnham at the season's end. In the post-match review, the team were realistic in their assessment of a 15-5 victory - too frenetic, too many handling errors and far too many turnovers. All in all a foretaste of what was to come at Twickenham - albeit with a much happier ending.

Rugby is a simple game. If you have the ball and keep it, the opposition cannot score. Far to often the ball is lost because a poorly placed kick goes straight to the oppositions' backs uncontested or players are isolated and turned over because the support was inadequate. This was the tale of Saturday's encounter between Farnham and Hampshire rivals Eastleigh.

A poor start as Farnham tried three times to break out from their 22. But each time poor communication lead to an untidy conclusion and frustration for players and spectators alike. Gradually Farnham began to assert some control. When quick ball is available this back division are capable of some terrific pace and flair. Olly Brown is settling in at scrum half and Toby Botica Salmon, the man of the match, is turning into a real find at fly-half. This backed by Corlett and Michael Salmon in the centre with a back three of Hurley, Comley and Digby offers pace and handling to capitalise. Why then did it not happen?

Dubious offside lines enabled Eastleigh to stifle the attacks which annoyingly made the match a sterile, mistake ridden affair. Their were highlights of course but two tries from Farnham was scant reward for the pressure applied. Eastleigh were limited but doughty. They refused to buckle and fought hard to the end. Some amongst the home faithful were predicting an away win by the death.

After an exchange of penalties both missed. Yes, it was a dismal day for the kickers as well. Farnham put together the phases and struck for the line. A chip and chase by Toby Salmon was held up on the line. The scrappy clearance from Eastleigh gave Farnham the opportunity at the line-out to catch and drive with Ben Adams in control to claim the try. Easy conversion for skipper Mike Salmon. 7-0 Farnham.

Another unsuccessful penalty exchange and Farnham break wide through Dave Hurley with Toby Comley in support. But all too keen and the ref adjudged a forward pass. Try chance gone.

Back come the home forwards with Joris and Davidson to the fore to win a succession of penalties (there does not seem to an appetite to give a yellow card for persistent offences in London South West 3) and Salmon M takes the points on offer. Half time. Score 10-0.

A try apiece sums up the second half. Try as they did both sides seemed to cancel each other out. The referee's struggled to manage the dark arts of the breakdown and so contributed to the sterility and misunderstanding that beset the match.

On the hour Eastleigh enjoyed their best period and had four drives at the line, the fifth was telling. Try scored but no conversion: 10-5. A frenetic, battling last twenty minutes livened both sets of supporters. Eastleigh coming back, then Farnham to clinch the game. Finally, a breakout from the home 22 and Toby Salmon scampers 80 metres evading desperate defence for the closing, last minute try. 15-5 and a win is a win be it ugly, untidy or scrappy.

Podium Points
Toby Salmon 3
Jonny Davidson 2
Jules Joris 1