Played 17. Won 9. Drew 1. Lost 7. Points for 509. Points against 318.
These are not the season stats for Farnham’s 1st XV, but those for the competitive games played over Saturday and Sunday last weekend by Farnham rugby sides from Under 12 to the 1stXV. Furthermore, on Sunday over 100 boys and girls aged 6 to 10 played in Farnham colours at Arlesford Rugby Club.

On this fabulous weekend for Farnham’s number one community club, the 1st XV’s 41-22 win over London Exiles at Monkton Lane was the icing on the cake. Tries from Pete Daly, Toby Comley, Jordan Frost, Jules Joris, James Corlett & Ian Williams earned the home side a deserved victory.

Farnham made a couple of changes with skipper Andy Naisbitt, Eliot Rich & Andrew Freshwater injured. Lenny Jennings came into prop, Toby Salmon moved back to 10 and debutant Ollie Wetton came onto the bench. Elsewhere Ian Williams moved into the second row and Joe Wigmore came back onto the Wing.

Farnham started the brighter of the two teams with the Salmon brothers threatening with line breaks but couldn’t find the last pass. Eventually a powerful scrum led to stand-in captain Pete Daly blasting his way over. London Exiles showed their attacking class as they came straight back from the restart to take advantage of some questionable Farnham defence.

A period of play on halfway followed with both teams finding little success until a huge clearance kick from Toby Salmon found space and a fantastic chase by Farnham put Toby Comley over the line. Once again Exiles came straight back and the opposing 15 hit an excellent line to scored a converted try. For Exiles, that was to be their last points of the half as Farnham then started to turn the screw.

On 20 minutes, a powerful midfield scrum set up Toby Salmon for a half break, the ball went side to side and deft hands from Ian Williams put Jordan Frost in under the posts. From there, the try of the day was scored after an audacious Pete Daly crossfield kick and good support play let James Corlett over for the bonus point try.

Good carries from the heavy’s - Ian Williams & John Davidson and in particular Lenny Jennings - battered the visitors defence. Eventually a 5-meter lineout marshaled by Ben Adams drove their way over the line giving Jules Joris with his second try of the season. Half time - 33-12 to Farnham.

One change for Farnham at half time as impressive debutant Ollie Wetton came on for the equally impressive Ollie Brown at scrum half.

London Exiles came out energised from the off. A period of pressure in the Farnham half didn’t lead to points, but it showed the home team in there were in a real contest. A Farnham penalty in front of the posts extended the lead before Toby Salmon sent Ian Williams over in the corner after some more heavy carries from the forwards and a break by Wetton in the opposition 22. 41-12 with 25 minutes to go.

Farnham then seemed to switch off and Exiles forced themselves back into the game. A break from the visiting scrum half was hauled down just short of the line and the referee judged debutant Wetton to have infringed. A yellow card and Farnham were under the cosh. Powerful Exiles scrums followed and eventually a well worked backs move puts the Exiles wing over in the corner. Fast hands from Exiles at the restart put their other wing over for the 4 try bonus point. From there, Exiles kept the pressure on but some good work in defence from Farnham finished out the game.

And cause for yet more celebration as news came in that Farnham Senior Coaches James and Ross Chisholm both scored tries in Harlequins’ Champions Cup victory over London Wasps with Ross being awarded Man of the Match.

Next week and Farnham are back in action in the cup as they travel to last years finalists in this competition, Charlton Park.

Podium points:
3 Toby Salmon – Controlled the game well
2 Ian Williams – Good carries, hits and a try
1 Jules Joris – Great defence