Farnham edge closer to the Championship

By Geoff Bond.

This was always going to be an “after the Lord Mayor's Show” affair after last week's battle for supremacy and the chance for Twickenham Glory. Both sides made changes: Farnham stronger and OCs back to their standard XV. The wind blew across the pitch as the referee on exchange from Hong Kong started proceedings - efficient all afternoon, the crowd enjoyed his accurate and unfussy involvement.
Good early pressure from Farnham with Oli Brown back at scrum half to marshal the troops. First blood to Farnham. Pressure at a five metre scrum where the front row of Jules Joris, Lenny Jennings and Luke Batten dominant. OCs lightweight pack is shunted back and Pete Daly’ cheeky offload puts winger Ed Weeks over in the corner. A superb conversion from Toby Salmon and its 0-7 Farnham.
The dominance continues. Farnham win a line out 5 metres out. The drive led by James Franklin and Dan Williams is held but Toby Comley enjoys his comeback from injury and powers over. The conversion attempt rebounds off the post. 0-12.
The tempo and pace of the game, whilst high, is nowhere near the intensity of last weekend's thunderous battle. Farnham breakout on the left wing through Gabe Hills and Ed Weeks. Weeks is tackled but the ball is moved smartly out to the right where Toby Salmon breaks the line and Club Captain Dave Hurley latches on to a superb release pass. He’s in under the posts with the extras from Toby Salmon 0-19.
Years of opposition including the 2012 Surrey Div 2 title decider have taught the Farnham boys that OCs just never lie down, never capitulate and with a team of talented footballers they will always battle. Back they charge. Penalty and Chatwin clears to the corner - line out catch and drive - momentum and a try. Chatwin with the extras. 7-19.
The competition is hotting up. These are always close. James Corlett on the charge on to Michael Salmon - the back row in support - Comley on to Daniel Williams - held - Toby Salmon takes the move by the scruff and squirms and forces himself over the line - abrasive, elusive and talented. His own conversion makes it 7-26.
OCs don't give in. They are a credit to lower level rugby. A carbon copy catch and drive takes them to 12-26 at half time. Nail biting is the norm at these matches.
The first score in the second half is going to be important - the game changer and Farnham with a slight whirling breeze at their backs start to penetrate.
A huge Toby Salmon clearing kick puts OCs on the back foot. Pressure and full back Gabe Hills into action, sprinting into the home 22. He’s held up but at the 5 metre scrum the OCs go backward, Daly gathers from the base and on to Toby Salmon to score his second and complete the conversion. The tally is racking up 12-33.
The game is opening up. OCs are determined to run the ball at every opportunity. They break out and score a superb try wide out 17-33.
Back come Farnham. T. Salmon penalty to the corner. Jason Crabb wins the line out but the drive is stopped illegally. Repeat and again Crabb rules the throw. He’s held and Daly opts for the scrum to then plunder over to justify the call from the colossus. 17-38.
This is turning in to end-of-season, Barbarian type rugby. Both sides are determined to run the ball and mistakes will happen. Farnham are on the break out but the attempt at fast hands is intercepted by Walters and OC’s score under the posts. The extras from Chatwin 24-38 and just two scores in a high scoring game separate the teams.
With the bench now empty - Crabb, Ben Jones and Andy Coutts all on - and the Farnham spirit still very much intact, the visitors grab the initiative to put the game and possibly the league title beyond doubt with a breakout from the 22. Toby Salmon at his belligerent best offloading to namesake Toby Comley - sumptuous! 24-43.
With seconds on the clock OCs were awarded a penalty, Argy-Bargy followed - Batten pushed, retaliates, pushed again, more powerful retaliation - claret - was it malicious - no. Did the referee have any choice - no. A sad end to a match between two, virtually even matched, sides.