Farnham win lightens the gloom in Battersea

On a gloomy winter's afternoon in South London Farnham managed to overcome their bogey side - Battersea Ironsides by 17-29 in this top of the table clash. The Irons are enjoying a solid season and lost to league leaders Eastleigh by just one point 18-19 in their last run out - lying fourth in the league with an intimidating ground Battersea were always going to pose a threat.

The start was frenetic with Farnham,rapidly becoming notoriously slow starters,conceding a soft try in the first minute, number 8 Johnson strolling over from twenty metres out. Successful extras from Winn and 7-0 to the Irons.
Difficult to describe how dark the conditions were, Turner the 17th Artist would have been delighted, for 21st Century rugby players perhaps not. Into the sixth minute and a chance for Farnham to make amends - penalty against the hosts - not releasing (this will turn into a trend) and an easy 3 for Toby Salmon. 7-3.
Still scrappy as the greasy conditions and gloomy light make a spectacle a difficult possibility. Battersea concede another penalty - cynical - Salmon T with the appropriate response 7-6. Farnham begin to rampage through Daly, Batten and Dan Williams - surely the much lighter, willowy Ironsides forwards will wilt. The referee is upping the penalty count, 7-9 to Farnham through the trusty boot of Toby Salmon.
Frustrations are starting to mount for both sides - a long probing kick by Mike Salmon pushes Farnham into the home 22 - infringement but a massive shunt at the ensuing scrum stuns the home pack - bafflingly the referee awards Ironsides the penalty - relief. Back hammer Farnham through the 'heavies' Naisbitt, Ian Williams, Joris and Jennings - repeat scrum,repeat result - has the referee got it right? Sometimes with younger referees they fail to grasp how important these crucial points are - is a feel for the game missing? Frustration.
At last Farnham string together the phases - Corlett and Mike Salmon combine in the centre and momentum begins to build, on to Daly and, after sucking in the defenders, an adroit offload to Weeks - so close and on to the Battering Batten - try. 7-14 with the extras shunned.
Difficult conditions as half time is called.
The game is never going to be perfect and The Ironsides are known for their uncompromising, full on attitude to the game - their spirit has always been magnificent and they were determined to show it here - despite their lack of poundage surely 1 1/2 stone per man they were competing at the tackle and the breakdown - the giant Daly gang tackled and forced into a forward pass - pressure from the home marauders - penalty 10-14.
The home spirit is showing - two pressure breakdowns - scrums to Battersea - to win this Farnham need control and composure. Old heads off the bench Bond for Ian Williams, Jemi Akin-Olugbade for Armstrong both Williams and Armstrong with good shifts under their belts. Still the game is frenetic, end to end, the penalty count rises 10-17 Farnham through Toby Salmon - when do the offences become persistent, cynical, cardable - difficult?
Farnham are enjoying their purple patch Comley is back to his rumbustious best stripping the ball from the Irons centre - on to Weeks then through Olugbade to Daly, five metres out and the pick and drives through successively Bond, Naisbitt and Batten take their toll - a gap and Ben Jones is over - 10-22 and at last daylight and a two score advantage.
As the light fades still further, what is the word for slightly darker than gloomy, Farnham break out again - Bond bustling at the breakdown on through Dan Williams and superb skills from Comley to Toby Salmon for his 20th try of the season plus the conversion 10-29.
Surely the referee will call it over - back come this never say die Ironsides XV - attack is the demand from their faithfuls and they are rewarded with a sublime closing try - cross field kick from Norris to charging winger Andrews. Great skills and justification for a huge effort - the final score of 17-29 reflected the game - some frustrations, lack of organisation and control cost Farnham. On days like this - poor conditions, poor light, frustrating decisions - a Win is a Win.
The first half of the season over sees Farnham equal top of the league.
Next week Farnham entertain basement side Millbrook - a chance for the boys to enjoy the run up to Christmas.
Podium
Luke Batten - tank like - a colossal asset - 3 points
Mike Salmon - captain - rallied the boys when needed - 2
Toby Salmon - can't keep him down - effervescent - 1