As so it proved when third placed Old Tonbridgians edged Farnham by one converted try to one penalty goal at Monkton Lane. The low score belied a pulsating game in which Farnham threatened for most of the second half. The dreadful conditions did not help.
Canals of water flowed in parallel lines across a greasy pitch where the ground maintenance contractors had tended it earlier in the week to dubious benefit. Perhaps after such a wet winter, a morning’s rain was enough to turn the expensively drained paddocks at Monkton Lane into a quagmire reminiscent of the old grounds at Wrecclesham. A bitter northerly blew at the back of the Farnham team as OT kicked off the match.
Farnham played in their away kit as they had done in the corresponding fixture at OT’s rented ground at Old Deer Park. As a recently formed, one-team club OT’s appear to have but one strip. The slippery conditions were to make handling damn nigh impossible and within 3 minutes the first scrum formed. Farnham were unceremoniously bundled back off their ball – a pattern that was to continue all afternoon as the larger OT pack dominated the set piece.
For the first fifteen minutes the two sides slithered in the mud keeping the ball close. Line breaks came from the bullocking forwards – Will Markham at No8 was the standout performance for Farnham while the OT’s row of Wood and Rushmer countered effectively. Farnham continued to lose out at the set piece – both lineout and scrum. Mike Salmon was safe at the back under a rain of high balls but while his siege gun boot found distance the touch line eluded him.
That Farnham were in the match at all was credit to the unbreakable defence of Jemi Akin-Olugbade and James Corlett at centre, the mongrel attitude of the loose forwards – especially the fiercely industrious Toby Comley – and the mature and steady skill of No10 Toby Salmon using the cold north wind to good effect.
Following yet another break from the omnipresent Markham, Farnham - much to their credit given the conditions - put together a series of yard eating phases employing both forwards and backs to exert pressure in the OT 22. Illegal work at the breakdown and Salmon took the penalty chance in front of the posts.
The pattern of play remained as before - a slugfest - until the half-time whistle allowed the smattering for the faithful on the balcony (the delights of Italy v England in Rome being the main cause of the depleted crowd) to scurry inside. The only incident of note was – much to the chagrin of the faithful – the retirement from the field of Markham with a twisted ankle. Fran Meagre joined the fray at 7 with Jonny Davidson reshuffled to No8.
Farnham started the second half brightly and much of the play was confined to the OT 22. As the gaps appeared, coach Matt Kemp rang the changes bringing on Charlie Badgery for Luke Jermyn on the wing. The OT pack looked off the pace - perhaps – as was admitted after the match – the result of their practice to not train mid-week. However, Farnham’s inability to penetrate canny defence led to frustration and on the 10th minute of the half Fran Meagre was yellow carded for over-enthusiastic use of the shoe.
That was the telling blow. An injudicious off-load intercepted and the OT pack were on the front foot and smelling blood. They pounded the Farnham line with countless phases sucking in the defence until sufficient was committed for the ball to be spun out to Cunningham the OT No10 who danced to line unopposed. Cunningham converted his own try.
Back came Farnham and the game resumed in the OT22. Corlett came off with an injured elbow and Jermyn returned to the fray. On the hour Farnham break out. Toby Salmon goes wide to the right and releases Akin-Olugabe. On to Jermyn who streaks down the touch line with Comely in close support. Alas the final pass is slapped away by the covering OT full back. The ref awarded OT the knock-on and they were able to relieve the pressure.
It must be said, the lady ref (who has international experience) had a very good match and kept the game flowing evenly despite the conditions. Mayhap she could have been more generous when the Farnham front five eventually turned the screws to lift the OT front row off their feet.
Back came Farnham again. But overlaps were spurned, the ball spilled or the lone attacker left to the mercy of an effective OT back row. An attacking lineout thrown to the front to ring the changes was the last gasp – but to avail.
The cheer of joy and relief from the OT players (they had no travelling support) at the final whistle bore witness to how close the game had been and the pressure they had sustained.
Farnham showed immense grit and some skill to overcome the conditions, but again decision making let them down. Next week-end Farnham travel to Purley John Fisher who prop up the division. Let us hope the team recovers fast – and the now-wrecked first pitch too!
Podium
3 Will Markham – line breaker extraordinaire and marshalled the back of a set scrum that rapidly retreated. Who knows the result had he lasted the course.
2 Toby Comley - irritating at the break downs and within a whisker of the match winning score.
1 Toby Salmon – organised the defence maturely and created the opportunities to attack