Farnham run riot as Tiffs run out of steam.

A home game against a spirited and talented Old Tiffinians side was the centrepiece of a feast fit for birthday boy President Geoff Bond - 70 for the first time. This was the main course that followed a starter in which the club hosted a party attended by over a hundred of Geoff’s nearest and dearest on Friday evening. With a brilliant and hugely successful firework party on Saturday evening for dessert, this was a week-end of top celebration.
For 65 minutes, the game was a full-blown battle with heavy efforts at scrum time and the breakdown was edged by Tiffinians through their predatory No6 Edwards. The pace was hot and the contacts brutal. A contest in the truest sense.
The balance however was swung with mistakes. Both sides were guilty. Handling errors littered the Farnham performance and, fortunately for the home team, Tiffs were guilty of poorly placed or badly timed passes. The Tiffs left winger received what should have been four try scoring passes and managed to spill each one in increasingly bizarre fashion. “Hands like a digital watch,” as the saying goes.
Both sides were willing to run the ball at every opportunity and at the pace the game was being played, mistakes were inevitable. The final pass just would not go to hand or was poorly executed - frustration for both sides and the large crowd.
An unnecessary penalty at the scrum on the Farnham 22 and Old Tiffinians open the scoring through their fly-half Alex Parker. 0-3.
From the kick -off an attack by Farnham down the left is thwarted. But Oli Brown is in to tidy up on the Tiffs 22 and on to Salmon, quick hands through Corlett and Jemi Akin Olugbade is over in the corner. 5 to 3 as the conversion in the cold northerly breeze slips past the post.
Still the forward battle continues. The breakdown is an area of concern for Farnham. Turnovers are starting to mount and the Tiffs back row are starting to rule the roost. Farnham just cannot keep the ball. Patience required.
At last, continuity and an attack through Toby Salmon on to Brown with Hurley on his shoulder to score out wide 10-3.
Frustration for the home crowd as Farnham concede yet another unnecessary penalty at the breakdown. No mistake from Parker. 10-6.
Half-time and everyone needs a breather.
Not a great start to the second period, Jemi off with an hyper-extended knee and replaced by Ed Weeks. Jordan Frost is on for James Corlett as the Farnham backs are reshuffled.
Farnham now have the cold wind at their backs and the territorial pressure is on Tiffs. Attack after attack is beaten back by the well organised Tiffs defence. Farnham - too predictable - are being frustrated. The visitors defence have their tails up, line-out Farnham on five metres turned over by the scavenging Edwards. Tiffs clear only for Farnham to reopen the offensive with pace through Jonny Davison. Farnham are still on the up.

A huge, battering-ram attack by Pete Daly and Tiffs infringe. 3 points to Toby Salmon and an increased advantage. 13-6 is but a one score advantage. Tiffs break out and a try threatens.
As the game moves in to the final quarter Farnham at last come to the party. Ian Williams breaks out from the Farnham 22, is through three tackles and on to Jordan Frost. The young tyro goes over in the corner. Into the sun the kick was always going to be difficult - the post reverberates no score. 18-6.
Tiffs will not lie down. Ian Williams in the sin bin at a 5 metre scrum. Desperate defence for Farnham as successive penalties go Tiffs way. Another attacking line-out sacked by the monstrous Pete Daly - Farnham scrum and the line remains uncrossed by the classy visitors threequarters. Salmon clears and the last throw of the dice by Tiffs ends in failure. For the remaining ten minutes they were put to the sword.
The interplay by the Farnham attackers has gone from mistake ridden, dropped passes and knock-ons to slick passing, close support and superb skills. The large crowd are treated to a superb last period with first Ian Williams being driven over. 23-8.
Straight from the kick off Farnham launch a 100 metre attack. Salmon to Jermyn at pace infield loop to Salmon and on to Williams. The rangy Frost with his yard eating strides puts Pete Daly over in the corner. Success with the extras for Toby Salmon. 30-6.
The purple patch continues as Farnham go on the rampage. Eventual podium points man of the match Pete Daly taking the game by the scruff of the neck, on through Frost and Dan Williams and a delightful offload to skipper Oli Brown. 35-6 with more to come.
At last the crowd are on their feet! Toby Salmon breaks out from the 22 out to Weeks and on to Jermyn who is held. But again Daly and Ian Williams continue the momentum for Dan Williams to apply the coup de grace. 40-6.
This purple patch decimated a fine Tiffinians XV who battled for 65 minutes. It’s hard to say what swung the balance. Mayhap their back row had tackled themselves into the ground.
Podium Points
Pete Daly - 3 battered the opposition into submission.
Oli Brown - 2 sniped and chipped away all match
Ian Williams - 1 best performance in a Farnham shirt.