Great day at Monkton Road as Farnham entertained second-in-the-table Teddington Antlers. The Farnham Faithful were out in numbers hosting the Teddington Committee and after a superb lunch the scene was set.
The pitch "good but soft in places" - the forecast "occasional wintry showers"
A strong start from Farnham against promotion hopefuls Teddington - solid and two powerful scrums put Farnham in the ascendancy. Upping the pressure and Farnham surge forward through Jemi Akin Olugbade, later to be seen dressed as Robin Hood for the post match film night, on to Toby Salmon and snuffed out by the marauding visitors - illegal and an easy penalty for brother Michael. 3-0.
The visitors respond through their backs - slick handling frees up the three quarters who seem to have pace to burn. The yards eaten up - penalty against the otherwise superb Toby Comley and the Antlers go for the corner. The Farnham defence is questioned and responds with a superb counter drive. Lines cleared but Teddington up the pressure and successive drives for the line are thwarted, seven times the drive goes on and The Farnham pack hold - the pressure builds and the Antlers spin the ball wide. The blitz defence is effective if everyone reacts, this time gaps appear and Teddington score wide out. 3-5.
This is turning into a battle. Both sides vying for territory and the breakdown is becoming an issue - the referee slow to respond and tempers and reactions beginning to fray. Buster Bond on for Toby Comley suffers the ignominy of the shortest appearance - 3 minutes and then, after being mildly head butted, yellow carded for an inappropriate sobriquet to the ginger Teddington scrum half. Referees eh!!
The pace is increasing from both sides. Antlers attack and win a penalty - line out 15 metres from the Farnham line - catch and drive with huge momentum - unstoppable. Additionals for Teddington 3-12.
The battle continues and Farnham break out a superb drive by Dan Williams and Will Markham frees up Jonny Davidson - on to Jemi A-O, classy throughout, to Toby Salmon - try. Extras a formality for brother Michael. 10-12 and half time.
The reverse fixture at Teddington had been a tight affair and this encounter was turning out much the same - both sides full on - a mistake, a turnover - penalty Teddington. 10-15.
Back come Farnham - the back row of Bond, Meagher and Markham begin to gain the upper hand, Dan Williams and, eventual Podium Winner, Jordan Frost are beginning to make inroads, starting to be a nuisance at the breakdown - Teddington Antlers are being ruffled.
Penalty Farnham 13-15 with fifteen minutes on the clock.
Ollie Brown, marshalling for the whole of the game, is now starting to drive the pack - Teddington still scent a win but are battered back by superb home defence. The time is running out - penalty Farnham line-out and Farnham penalised, Teddington throw the dice and are turned over, Bond and Weekes on to Comley - held but offside Teddington - penalty 45 metres out in the dying seconds.
Skipper Mike Salmon takes control. Straight - True - bisects the posts. 16-15 Farnham.