Farnham enjoy early Christmas with 12 try romp over plucky Millbrook

Farnham enjoy early Christmas with 12 try romp over plucky Millbrook

This 100-point romp, a 76-24 win to Farnham, brightened the December gloom at Monkton Lane. Millbrook were enjoying their first visit to Farnham and never gave up on a foggy, dark December afternoon.

The initial exchanges suggested that the league basement side were going to be overwhelmed by a fizzing Farnham XV. Pete Daly grabbed the initiative from the off, testing the Millbrook defence as only a 20 stone missile can - battering into the soft underbelly of the visitor's defence. With speedies in the backs, Weeks, The Salmon Brothers plus Corlett and Academy tyros Ben Jones and Reece Stennet, Farnham began to run the patterns.

However, distracted by the prospect of playing the team propping up the league, a lack of concentration upset the rhythm as passes were spilt. It was an untidy but frenetic first period.

Millbrook were under the cosh as wave after wave crashed onto the visitors 22. At last space for Hooker Lenny Jennings to barrel over for the openers - conversion by Toby Salmon. 7-0.

Millbrook were not going to rollover. Their ambition, a losing bonus point. A 30 metre rolling drive emphasised their determination. Their gnarly aggressive forward play was beaten back by the Farnham back row, Dan Williams, Toby Comley and the rampant Daly. Farnham break out with chip and chase. This is recovered by the visitors who put some phases together but they cross at pace. A clash of heads between their flying backs Rundell and Thomas delays the game as both physios tended the fallen.

Recovered but shaken, Farnham take advantage of the Millbrook battering and again, eventual man of the match, Daly is on the charge, held and a delightful pop pass to the supporting Toby Salmon. 12-0.

Changes off the bench for Farnham - Trodden for Joris and Armstrong for the injured Weeks.
Millbrook back on the attack - penalty - slotted by Colmer. From the kick-off, Toby Salmon shifts through the gears with his entire stepping, dummying pacey routine culminating in an unselfish pop pass inside to the supporting Cameron Armstrong allowing the UCA student to score his first league try for the club. Extras from the provider 19-3.

The accustomed poor start is a thing of the past as Farnham flood forward from the restart. A sweeping attack, marshalled by increasingly feisty scrum half Olly Brown, frees up the back division and full back Ben Jones plunders the spoils. 24-3 with the extras from Toby Salmon.

Before long, that man Salmon T is on the break again freeing up winger Reece Stennet for his maiden try and conversion points again for Toby Salmon. 33-3 at the break.

The second half could prove painful for the visitors and Farnham did not disappoint the sizeable home crowd. Ben Jones over to complete his pair wide out and then the try of the day as Daly, fed up with some indecision, sets off on a 90metre rampage. Defenders fall like nine pins as the big man builds a head of steam 50-60-70-80-90 metres. Eventually gang tackled, he delivers a delicious pass to the ever supporting Comley who telescopically gathering the ball for another superb try. 45-3.

The crowd are enjoying the spectacle! Another sweeping attack by forwards and backs alike. Joris and Naisbitt with Jennings on the charge, boosted by Trodden, play like extra backs all game. The attack ends with Corlett ghosting through to complete the half century. Extras again by Toby Salmon.

Following an archetypal break from Mike Salmon, Reece Stennet completes his brace out wide as Farnham go to the races.

Millbrook have been on the ropes for an hour but have never given up. They battle back with their first sustained attack. Driving line out held, reset and the drive picks Macca up and over for a try. Farnham attack from the kick off but a floated pass is picked off by Rundell, the Millbrook Express. Both tries converted by Collins and Millbrook sense a late bonus point opportunity. 59-17.

The game is now end to end with both sides probing for Christmas Fayre. Mike Salmon over in the corner - deserved Captain's reward. 64-17 and still more to come. A mass break out sees Jonny Davidson crash over out wide with the conversion from T Salmon. 71-17 the palindromic score.

Back hustle Millbrook to pressurise Farnham under their posts. Luke Wilson adjudged over the line and the extras from Colling 71-24 make the bonus point a distinct possibility. But Farnham show no charity and drive for the icing on the cake. Superb support play sees second rower Ian Williams over to drive in the final nail 76-24.

A tremendous pre-Christmas performance by the boys marred by two untidy periods. The drive from the forwards with Luke Batten and the Williams boys backing the giant Daly at every step allowed the backs to run riot. In a testament to the Academy and the Club that all the tries had been scored by players under 20 until well into the second half. With so many to come back from injury and unavailability the squad continues to grow. A gentle run in to 2017 sees Farnham away to Bognor on the 7th Jan followed by Trojans at home on the 14th.

Presidents Podium this week
Pete Daly - immense almost singlehandedly pummelled the opposition 3 points.
Toby Salmon - better and better every week 2 points.
Ben Jones - two tries and so confident 1 point