Top of the table decided as Farnham dump Eastleigh

This was a classic rugby day: lunch for 90 plus and the club open for coach loads of Eastleigh supporters who swelled the considerable home crowd. The league was up for grabs, to the winner the spoils. Farnham, the try machine, versus the niggardly defence of The Hampshire Boys who are unbeaten this season.
First to blink and who would fold?
The miserable conditions greeted the players and spectators. Cold, grey, blustery snow showers. Not the day to be a on the wing.
Farnham’s early attacking intention was put to the test by the league’s stingiest defence. Pete Daly’s charge is snuffed out. The jinking Toby Salmon’s the step inside becomes a little predictable. In the opening quarter, the sides’ individual strengths cancel each other out.
The referee, now old enough to enjoy a pint after the game is on the RFU’s development fast track and marshals the match with accuracy. Just back from the Dubai Sevens, the next Nigel Owens?
For example, the line outs are well contested and marshalled by Farnham all afternoon. On Eastleigh throws, the immediate and successful the sack of catcher disabled the Eastleigh maul - a correct interpretation of the laws which nevertheless frustrated the vociferous Eastleigh faithful.
Playing into a brutally cold northerly, Farnham pound the visitors. Five metres out and held. Relief for Eastleigh as another sustained attack is beaten back. All thirty players are aware of the prize at stake.
On thirty-two minutes a line out Eastleigh in the Farnham half delivers rare ball to their backs. The move breaks down but a speculative (or may be planned) up and under is dealt with poorly by the Farnham back three. The visitors hack on and score under the posts for an easy conversion. Farnham are fortunate that the kicker’s earlier penalty attempts had swirled past the posts. 0-7
Both sides are a credit to this league trading varied attack with cussed defence. The spectators from both sides are on tenterhooks. As ever, some of the the young referee’s decisions divide opinion.
At half time both teams take advantage of the warm sanctuary of the changing rooms. The cold wind is seeping into all.
As the second half opens, Farnham have the advantage and go for the jugular. Toby Salmon kicks a penalty to the corner. The Farnham line out is well won and the maul is driven hard as the Farnham eight punish the Eastleigh pack. The pressure tells and Eastleigh concede another penalty. This game is going to be won on small margins. Toby Salmon’s kick is successful and Farnham are on the board. 3-7.
Again, Farnham on the attack with a penalty kicked to the corner. The line out on the Eastleigh 5 metre line is secured by Daly. Farnham’s powerful drive is collapsed short of the line and the ref has no option but to award a penalty try. Easy extras for Toby Salmon. 10-7.
Back come Farnham from the kick off. Fielded by Daly popped to Lenny Jennings who booms through before passing to Oli Brown and out to Toby Salmon. This time Toby’s jinking inside step creates the gap and as the cover closes in on him, he slips the pass to that man Naisbitt who is on hand to score the match winner. 17-7 with the extras from Toby Salmon.

Just three minutes to go and Eastleigh do not throw in the towel. Sustained attack into the Farnham half - battered back, low body positions chopping the marauding Eastleigh attackers, Davidson then Dan Williams on the chop. The league depends on this.
After the game, match day coach Jamie Salmon said, “Maybe Eastleigh could not have won the match, but they had the bonus point to play for. But the Farnham boys were utterly determined not to let them have it. The team should be very proud of themselves for the mature way they handled that last period of intense pressure.”
With the clock running down, Farnham win the maul. Oli Brown on to Corlett who hoofs the ball off the field to the sheer joy of Farnham players and home crowd. Eastleigh's unbeaten run is over and Farnham take a massive stride towards promotion. Farnham’s position looks even more comfortable as Old Cranleighians, head of the league’s chasing pack, suffer a one point home defeat to Trojans.
The Farnham faithful are rewarded. Now for England’s Cardiff exam. 500 rugby fans, already pumped by the afternoon’s live action, enjoy England’s Six Nation’s win on the clubhouse’ big screens. What a day!!

Podium Points
Andy Naisbitt 3 points: you have to be there to score them.
Ed Weeks 2 points: hard yards on the left wing and close on many occasions.
Pete Daly 1: a reference throughout.