Lacklustre Farnham eventually steam roller US Portsmouth

After last week's arm wrestle with Eastleigh the Farnham, coaches Jamie Salmon and Andy James were always going to struggle to ramp up the Farnham XV’s adrenaline levels at US Portsmouth’s delightful old Burnaby Road Ground on Saturday. Nestling third from bottom of the league US did not pose a threat and the Farnham squad knew it. Kicking off in gorgeous Spring conditions, blue skies and a gentle breeze, a lacklustre Farnham butchered four or five tries in the first ten minutes.

This was like a training run. Concentration levels were low. Frustrated, coach Jamie Salmon, had to remind himself constantly that this was a London 3 SW match and not a test at Eden Park, He rang the changes pushing Ian Williams and Academy star Jordan Frost on to pep up the attacks.

At last – hooker Lenny Jennings on the cut back – unstoppable. Conversion a formality.
Then, as if to highlight the casual air, a long pass eludes winger Ed Weeks. US, alert with a quick line out, score a try wide out. The danger signs are there.

Farnham, still in training mood, rumble through the forwards allowing Daly to pick up from the base and score. 5-12 with the extras missed.

Motivation and preparedness in sport are moveable feasts. After a tough top of the table clash, the next game which on paper looks easy, can be difficult to prepare for. With the outcome of the match predictable, the energy levels are low. Farnham need a shake-up – the Salmon hairdryer was out.

The Farnham forwards rumble again and the Hampshire Society referee awards the penalty try for collapsing the maul as it heads toward the line. With the extras taken, Farnham are moving away 5-19.

Then at last, Farnham put together a multi-phase attack with all 15 involved to put Ed Weeks over in the corner. Mum Penny is vociferously pleased!

Despite securing the bonus point, the play is still untidy as the clock ticks down to the interval. The Farnham faithful mutter – ‘in our day’?

The half time ‘discussion’ must have been forthright. In the second half, Farnham produced a point a minute from a hatful of tries. Some sumptuous, - Ed Weeks 20 metre dash home following a break, step and offload from last week’s hero Andy Naisbitt was the pick; some fortunate – such as Jordan Frost’s unopposed pick up of a wayward US pass in their own 22; and others with sheer power – notably Lenny Jennings’ second try of the half to complete his hat trick. The other scorers were, predictably, Toby Salmon and Pete Daly.

Lenny Jennings, the eventual Podium three-pointer, is producing some of his career best rugby and deservedly completed a hat trick of tries, coupled with his work in the loose and his tackling around the fringes this was a big performance.

Skipper Mike Salmon took on his captain’s responsibility by leading the charge from the front. His running yards for the day giving the rest of the team something to home in on. On a day where attitudes needed steering, he overshadowed his consistently eye catching younger brother Toby.

This season’s 1st XV Squad has depth. This was highlighted by three Academy tyros – Jordan Frost, a superb performance at line out and around the flanks, Alex Chalker, busy and accurate at scrum half and Ben Jones menacing on the wing. They were joined by this season’s recruit from Farnham’s UCA, Cameron Armstrong who slotted into the back three giving Farnham yet more pace to be burn.

Credit must also go to US who stayed in the contest until close to the end scoring their second try with a chip and chase where the bounce of the odd-shaped ball exposed the Farnham defence. A fully focused Farnham would surely have swamped the Navy. This was not the case today but, with 10 tries, of which Toby Salmon converted five providing a total of 64 points in third gear is still a decent afternoon out.

Farnham Team
Forwards: L. Batten, L. Jennings, A.Naisbitt, D. Williams, J. Franklin, T. Comley, P. Daly, I. Williams, J. Trodden and J. Frost
Backs: A. Chalker, T. Salmon, J. Corlett, M. Salmon, D. Hurley, E. Weeks, B. Jones and C. Armstrong.

Podium Points
Lenny Jennings – 3
Mike Salmon – 2
Jordan Frost – 1

Judges, G. Bond, G. Robins, J. O’Sullivan.

Next week Farnham are away to Hitchin In Herts in the quarter final of the National RFU Vase.