Job Done. League champions overcome the battling Ironsides

Job Done - League champions but Ironsides Battle
Excitement at Monkton Lane - the Foundation Members all invited for lunch - 120 of the club backbone. Superb fayre as usual with the Under 15s on hand to serve - tremendous effort.
The main course: Battersea Ironsides, old opposition from so many years. They had come to spoil the celebration party. Farnham needed just one point from this the penultimate encounter of the season to confirm their Championship achievement. After the hectic round of away fixtures going back to early February - US Portsmouth, Hitchin, Old Tiffs then two huge fixtures with Old Cranleighans interspersed with a home walkover against Vandals - Farnham were back to the Fortress.
Expectations were high albeit a stiff south westerly breeze and persistent drizzle as the Irish Referee commenced proceedings. He was fussy and efficient for the first 60 minutes and the hectic start.
The back row of Daly, Comley and the returning Jonny Davidson straight into battle. Farnham's intentions clear: the jugular and immediately. Coach Matt Shields had invited his entire family for lunch and the game to see the fruits of his labour - they were not disappointed. The Ironsides have an Irish spine. They (a) fly in to the tackle, (a) take the ball at pace and, if they are not involved in (a) and (b), they are a continuous nuisance.
The early exchanges set the tone of the game: pace, greasy ball and determination. With just six minutes gone Joris, Naisbitt and Jennings turn the screw up front. Scrum five metres out with both Ian and Dan Williams on the charge, maul reset and the Irons are battered back. Final surge over from Jonny Davidson. Try plus the conversion from Toby Salmon. 7-0.
Early pressure rugby. Farnham were suffocating the Ironsides into their own 22 and are going for the vital point to ensure the championship.
Penalty Farnham. The Irons not rolling away quickly enough. (How do referees make a decision so quickly on this?) From the line out, a fast break out with Ed Weeks making the hard yards on to skipper Mike Salmon quick hands to brother Toby. Try and conversion 14-0.
The lunch time set are vociferous. A celebration and perhaps another glass of wine are the order of the day. From the restart and with barely 15 minutes on the clock an exploratory chip kick from Toby Salmon forces the visitors to defend. Referee in position to penalise the Irons - line out and a drive with Ian Williams and Pete Daly on the rampage. Quick ball and Dan Williams cuts back to score a classy try on an unstoppable line from the big man. Extras for the junior Salmon - 21-0.
Still the visitors fly into the tackle, ruck and maul with no quarter asked. They have not come to capitulate and driven on by captain Marcus Bailey at blind side they put together eight phases to release their pocket rocket open side flanker Kevin Lee over for a try. 21-5 as half time approaches.
The break enables both sides to reflect on the way they are playing the game. “Fast and furious” is being hampered by the stiff breeze and the slippery ball. On battle both sides but three yellow cards in seventeen minutes leaves the Farnham squad (which as received but 8 cards all season) nonplussed not to mention shorthanded.
Pace is the battle plan from a resurgent Ironsides. Is the party going to be spoilt? Farnham respond. Oli Brown, dominant throughout, on to winger Ben Jones to put, appropriately, Club Captain Dave Hurley over for the bonus point Championship try. 26-5.
The game now becomes disrupted and bitty. Toby Salmon is sent to the bin for a high tackle, difficult at 5'9" tall. The Ironsides have the momentum, the ball being taken at pace with accurate the cross field kicks to the wingers to liven matters up. Still Farnham defend. Penalty and yellow card for Jemi Akin Olugbade and Farnham are down to 13 men.
Scrum to Ironsides and a lengthy injury break to Dan Hornscroft with a neck injury. Rejigged the visitors are shunted back and Comley breaks out with Jonny Davidson and Ed Weeks in support. Collective intake of breath from the Farnham crowd and Weeks is over in the corner 31-5.
Injury time has ramped up the clock as both sides battle it out. Another Yellow as Farnham’s combative hooker Lennie Jennings is banished for a tackle without using the arms. The Irons are playing for pride and stretch the home defence to put James Ratti over for the consolation try.
At last the final whistle - celebrations could begin. The Championship secure and deservedly so - a season of top quality junior rugby spearheaded by Toby Salmon and Pete Daly with support from a superb squad of players. London 2 beckons - the Club looks forward.
Podium Points
Pete Daly - immense in presence and body - tied in three or four every charge - 3 points
Dan Williams - great lines - full on commitment - 2
Skipper Mike Salmon - commitment led from the front - 1.