A sizeable crowd greeted United Services (US) Portsmouth for their visit to Monkton Lane. Farnham President Geoff Bond had played for US in the distant past so it was with a sense of nostalgia and fond memories as the teams took the field.

Farnham were playing into the wind in the first half. The pitch was soft underfoot and a swirling breeze blew. The opening exchanges produced a sloppy period from the Farnham pack that allowed US to open the scoring; penalty for offside and 3-0 in the first minute.

This early dent in the home efforts was immediately answered. A driving break out by Dan Williams supported by his namesake Ian in the second row, from the ensuing ruck fast hands from Ollie Brown to James Corlett at pace and on to Elliott Rich flying into the corner 5-3. The difficult conversion was missed.

US have enjoyed some success recently, losing by only two points to Battersea Ironsides last week, and begin to pull the strings with the wind at their backs. Their minuscule half backs pushed Farnham back into their 22. Once again Farnham have trouble at the breakdown. The referee late on decisions is costing the Farnham back row as the penalty count mounts. A chip to the corner and the line out won, fast hands through the backs and US are over in the corner. 5-8.

Farnham have been under the cosh but react with their best period of play this season - a purple patch of twenty minutes results in four tries and the game out of sight. Toby Salmon pops a perfect kick to the corner for the first. Line out won but Will Markham and eventual man of the match Dan Williams steers the drive and scores.

From the restart, the play returns to the US corner where the drive held. Buster Bond playing his best game of the season picks and battles through the US pack is held but recovers to finish his surge for the line. 15-8.

Still not satisfied Farnham are on a roll and Bond makes the hard yards to set up the ruck, a cut back by Corlett frees up the Ian Williams who rampages down the right touch line. Ian on to Dan Williams - try!

With half time approaching again the pack go on the warpath. Meagher, on for injured skipper Mike Salmon, cuts through the first defensive line and on to Trodden, magnificent throughout, to Jennings and on to Bond on the charge, quick ball and a delightful chip by Rich sits up for Toby Comley who goes in at the corner. 25-8 and a match changing four tries in 12 minutes.

Half time and more fireworks in the second half?

So it seemed as the first break out of the half starts in the 22. Weeks on to Markham and Ollie Brown with speedsters Rich and Comley outside. Comley over under the posts leaving an easy conversion for Toby Salmon 32-8.

Game over - the fireworks finish and Farnham fail to ignite again in the game. US playing for pride battled and battled to breach the home defence. They have come close in their last few games and were determined to scrap every inch of the pitch. Farnham pride themselves on their defence have conceded less scores than all the other teams in the league. The game is being fought at close quarters in the middle third of the pitch.

By now the referee is starting to lose patience at the ruck and breakdown and banishes the turnover nuisance Bond to the bin.

As the game draws to a close the Navy launch their final salvo, penalty under the posts and a driving scrum - try US. Just rewards for their effort and spirit in the second half.

Thoughts - does the bonus point system effectively end the game? Game after game teams achieve their try bonus and the collective foot comes off the pedal. Perhaps another point for a further four tries would encourage teams to push for the double.

But no complaints withstand out performances from Comley, Corlett, Markham and the Williamses.

Podium Points
Dan Williams - 3 - classy and strong throughout.
James Trodden - 2 back to his best the team heartbeat.
Buster Bond - 1 - pain in the backside around the field and at the turnover. The yellow card was a misunderstanding according to him and his father (sic!!)