Festive season kicks off with last gasp winner

This top of the table clash at Monkton Lane on Saturday lived up to expectations. A tremendous testament to junior rugby as the rapier like Old Cranleighans (OCs) clashed with the bludgeon of the Farnham pack. The latter would prevail as OCs burst into a 0-17 lead with speedy, open rugby. After just 28 minutes, the Farnham heavies battered back and by half time the game was on a 15-17 knife edge.

The teams were greeted by perfect conditions underfoot while overcast above with a chilly North Easterly breeze. Farnham top of the league with OCs just five points adrift after a six-game winning sequence. The visitors were promoted just last season and are holders of the RFU Junior Vase after a famous day at Twickenham in May for this lovely old club. Their the spectators are noisy and the players fit and well drilled. For Farnham this was going to be a real test after so many roll over victories. The league is turning into a three horse race - Eastleigh, Farnham and Old Cranleighans outstripping all the other outfits. In short, who would blink first?

Farnham beset by niggling injuries to Hurley, Comley and Crabb rejigged the side to include Reece Stennet, Tom O'Connor - home from Cardiff Uni - and Dan Williams. Farnham were fielding their biggest pack for some years and in the first quarter of the game this looked like it was going to be their downfall. Pre-match discussions focussed on OCs ability to move the ball quickly from everywhere on the pitch. Farnham had to keep the ball. And so it was the tactic of high up and unders baffled the large crowd. On the receiving end of free ball their classy back row with McLaughlin and O'Neill to the fore were making yards of gain. Meanwhile, the heavier and slower Farnham pack was being bested at the breakdown and in support.

A breakout from OCs, direct through the middle and shipped on to winger Dorman, timing his run to perfection. 0-5. No respite for Farnham as the OCs pace moves them around the field. A breakout from Tom O'Connor, tackle and suspicion of a knock on? “No,” says the referee and Dorman in for his second. Extras added 0-12. Farnham needed to keep the ball – to revert to basics.

A sustained attack by Farnham culminates in isolation at the breakdown, penalty and another break out by OCs with that man Dorman over again 0-17. This is the first time Farnham have been in trouble for some time. Tactics must change. The home crowd plead for some 'up the jumper' tactics.
Then on 32 minutes, the bulk of Batten and Daly on the charge and on to Dan Williams
with an offload to the ever alert Toby Salmon. 5-17. The recovery is under way.

Have OCs peaked to soon? Back come Farnham. Daly is causing havoc sucking in three or four of the visiting defence on each charge. He’s held illegally and the penalty allows Toby Salmon to make it 8-17. Farnham chip away at the lead.

The momentum shifts. Ian Williams and James Franklin to the fore, the forwards fashion an old-fashioned driving maul with Naisbitt and Jennings in control. The maul is collapsed one metre short after a fifteen metre drive and the referee no option but to award the penalty try. An easy conversion for the ubiquitous Toby Salmon and its 15-17 at half time. This is becoming a real contest.

Honours fairly even as the 17 year old referee commences proceedings for the second half. As part of the RFU refereeing academy he is destined for The Dubai Sevens on Sunday. The young man acquitted himself well throughout but had to presiding over a scrappy opening to the second half as knock on after knock on frustrated players and fans alike. However, the advantage to Farnham is palpable as their heavier pack began to move the lighter OCs eight.

This was junior rugby at its best with thrust and counter-thrust. Fitness levels pushed to the maximum - class and skill levels will decide this battle.

Farnham on the attack on 50 minutes - Blundell-Jones the Cranleighians full back isolated - penalty Farnham and Toby Salmon straight through the middle 18-17 Farnham lead for the first time in the match.

Still a quarter to go as OCs go through the phases - 10,11,12 pick and drives to the corner, lung bursting efforts from their lighter pack. Penalty 35 yards out - into the breeze mid right on the limit. Success and the visitors retake the lead 18-20.

The light is now starting to fade and there are a lot of tired bodies on the pitch. This has been a brutal encounter. The ever eager Salmon tackles late but the OCs penalty to the line out is snaffled by Daly allowing a breakout by Farnham on to flying winger Tom O'Connor. He’s tackled high in from of the home support and Langford receives the yellow card. There followed a tired and sloppy attack by Farnham as the clock runs down. OCs clear their lines and attack into the home 22.

Turnover and Toby Salmon takes charge five metres out, jinking and stepping to the visitor's 22 on to Ben Jones and O'Connor. Ten metres out and held, battered on by Dan Williams and Daly to free up Andrew Naisbitt the supporting prop who has sprinted eighty metres to score in the dying seconds. Last gasp winner 23-20. The extras go wide with the last kick of the match.

The never give up attitude wins the day for Farnham over a multi-talented OC squad who never gave up. A great day for Farnham which sent the 300 strong crowd back to the bar happy.

No game next week and a visit to Battersea Ironsides on the 10th December.

Podium
Peter Daly - 3 points - a massive focal point all game - took responsibility.
Dan Williams - 2 points - yards gained throughout and assisted in two of the tries.
Toby Salmon - 1 point - a class act - didn't all go right but persistence paid off for the winner.