Plucky Teddington swept aside by rampant Farnham

On a cold blustery winter’s day at Bushy Park, Farnham dismissed a spirited, vociferous Teddington side. Farnham had never previously won at the Park against the Antlers or as they are now known, the Teddington Antlers. This was a day to exact revenge on an Antlers XV - albeit weakened - who battled away for the full 80 minutes.

With a few changes – James Trodden back in the front row and James Franklin in the row – Farnham began at a relentless pace into the biting breeze. After defending the kick off, Comley stole a line out on halfway allowing a burst from Pete Daly - the first of many – who put Reece Stennet over underneath the posts – easy extras for Toby Salmon. 0-7.

There is a spring in the league leaders step. Straight from the kick off they launch a sweeping attack culminating in the Salmon brothers scoring: Mike with the try and Toby with the extras. 0-14 with four minutes on the clock. The visitors are on the prowl.

Mike Salmon sets a Captains’ example by bursting through the home defense with his long rangy strides. He’s held but No.8 Pete Daly gathers the recycled ball to go over for the touchdown. Toby Salmon extras and 0-21.
The match is starting to get spicy. Teddington, frustrated, are starting to wind up the intensity, the noise and the appeals to the referee – but all in vain as Farnham batter forward. Teddington scrum under their posts – Trodden, Jennings and Naisbitt have the edge - the big five shunt back the home forwards providing easy puck over pickings Daly; conversion by Salmon T. and the bonus point secure on 26 minutes. 0-28.

Teddington went 68 matches without defeat over a three year period ending in 2015. Farnham were on the receiving end of some of brutal losses. The tide, however, has turned. The Teddington Club have lost some of their star turns to local clubs and it is beginning to show. Their first real onslaught is broken up by Corlett in the centre and a quick transfer to Club Captain Dave Hurley – an 80 meter sprint just thwarted at the posts – frenetic attack to try and complete the score beaten back by desperate Antlers defence. Oxygen for Hurley with Ian Williams held up by the increasingly noisy Home Guard.

As the half draws to a close, Jemi Akin Olugbade rolls back the years with a stunning break, finally checked, he delivers a ‘Hail Mary’ lobbed pass to no one in particular – beauty and the beast in the same move. Swept up by the Antlers, their attack is finally beaten down with a try denying tackle by Skipper Mike Salmon. The half time whistle affords Salmon more time to recover from the injury sustained making that hit.

For the second half Farnham have the wind at their backs and if anything it has increased its bite. Dan Williams is on for Jonny Davison and Jason Crabb for Naisbitt. The result is an immediate breakout. Pete Daly attacking from the base of the scrum and on to flying winger Ed Weeks. Try! 0-33.

Teddington come back with intent and their first really structured attack allows Hooker Daniels to flop over for a reward try. Jefferson with the extras. 7-33. Farnham Coach Jamie Salmon is incandescent at the loss of concentration and delivers hairdryer treatment from the touchline. Farnham respond with 47 unanswered points in the final quarter of the match.

Some of the play is outstanding with backs and forwards combining and interchanging to the delight of the away support. After a frenetic, rushed, mistake ridden period Farnham begin to go through the phases. Toby Salmon try under the posts with the conversion added.

Immediate regroup and attack with Oli Brown “elusive as a spring salmon”, as Bill McClaren would describe it, to put the ever present Toby Salmon over under the posts. Again easy extras and the score stretched to 7-47. From the kick off a huge touch finder from the mercurial Toby Salmon. The line out rumbles but in succession Ian Williams and Namesake Daniel are driven back. So Farnham adopt Plan B and shift the ball wide to Dave Hurley – try in the corner and huge conversion from that man Toby Salmon. 7-54.

Teddington are starting to crumble with 15 minutes still to play but they will not give up the fight – literally – winger Ellis in the bin for a high tackle. Now real pressure allows Jennings to unselfishly off-load to Man of the Match James Franklin – who until that moment was the only member of the 1st XV squad not to have scored a try this season. Another superb conversion from wide out by Toby Salmon. Father Jamie has recovered his poise – proud of the boys.

As the clock runs down Teddington just cannot repel the constant attacks. Jonny Davidson across the whitewash. A rampaging Pete Daly plucking the ball out of the air with outstretched fingers releases Reece Stennet in under the posts. And the denouement, a Toby Salmon break to release scrum half Oli Brown to slide in for the final nail. An extra two for Toby Salmon bringing his personal tally to 30 points and the score to 7-80. Total symmetry at a point a minute.

The Podium Points went to:
James Franklin - Mr Restart, a try and realising his full potential - 3 points.
Toby Salmon - for 30 points - 2
Peter Daly - colossal all afternoon -1