Farnham sink in the Eastleigh Mud

Eastleigh whose thoughts of winning the league have all but disappeared put on their best performance for some time in a mud bath at Bishopstoke Road.

A strangely flat Farnham were never allowed to get going or, more precisely, were battered back by the home mauraders. Make no mistake this was played on a glutinous, energy-sapping morass. It was never a classic as the final score of 8-0 testifies but the sheer effort by both sides to play conventional rugby was a credit to all of the players used.

Farnham have been scoring for fun in the last few weeks but this was a different story - boggy pitch, slippery ball - mistakes aplenty. A bright start disguised the outcome for a while. Farnham were on the front foot yet indecisive. A probing box kick by Ollie Brown sets up an opportunity but the Farnham forwards are being outgunned. The Eastleigh back row and second row are winning much of the loose ball at the breakdown. Farnham 's loose five are not enjoying much scope from the Hampshire Society referee at the turnover - frustrations mount as the visitor's are pushed back.

Centres Corlett and Weeks plus Davison,Markham and Comley in the back row are pushing up the tackle count with every attack. Apart from the odd siege lifting kick from skipper Mike Salmon, Eastleigh, are camped in the Farnham 22. Twenty five minutes gone and the pattern persists as Farnham defend another furious assault. Forward drives by the Eastleigh eight beaten back by Farnham. Joris, Jennings and Trodden in the scrums are getting an edge - difficult given the morass under foot.

But the pressure is beginning to tell. On 29 minutes a five metre line out to Eastleigh sets up a catch and drive that inches inexorably close to the Farnham try line. Held at first, then further progress. The agony persists for the Farnham rearguard until finally Eastleigh prop Edwards crashes down for the try 5-0 and the only score of the half.

Thoughts at half time? Farnham from an attacking point had not joined the party. In fact there was not one period of sustained pressure by the visitors to record. Defence had been outstanding. However as Louis van Gaal has found to his cost, defence alone doesn't win matches.

The sizeable contingent of travelling supporters expected more in the second half but apart from some flashes of individual class from the Salmon brothers, Farnham were again subjected to a lot of pressure and a lot of frustration culminating the referee showing a yellow card to Toby Salmon after what appeared to be a fairly innocuous tackle on his opposite number.

Further frustration came when a penalty goal to Eastleigh increased their lead to 8-0 creating a two score cushion which they never gave up for the remainder of the game.

Farnham were beaten by a dogged Eastleigh team who just seemed to have more urgency, spite and a bit of mongrel about them. The more committed team on the day emerged with the spoils. As for Farnham, it just didn't click on the day - or more likely Eastleigh didn't allow it.

No excuses then. The effort from all 18 players on the day could not be faulted. It was just a bad day at the office.

Podium
Jules Joris 3
Ben Adams 2
Ollie Brown 1