FARNHAM 19 – 20 Old Emanuel

Farnham’s good start to the season was undone by a lacklustre and insipid performance at home against Old Emanuel on Saturday.

Farnham knew that this would be a tough match after the two encounters last season, yet Farnham were very slow to get into the game.

Old Emanuel began with the slight breeze at their backs and it was not long before Farnham’s indiscipline at the breakdown cost them dearly with two kickable penalties converted by the booming boot of the visiting fly half.

Farnham then conceded a converted try, before finally managing to get a foothold in the game by going back to basics and trying to keep hold of the ball. Farnham worked their way into the Old Emanuel twenty two where they won a scrum. Sensible scrummaging allowed Chris Penn to use the blind side to his advantage and ghost in to score a well worked try.

The conversion was missed from the touchline, so the scores, at this point were 5-13.

Farnham again failed to deal with the Old Emanuel off loading game and missed far too many tackles in the lead up to the second Old Emanuel try, which was also converted, giving Old Emanuel at 5-20 point lead at half time.

Farnham knew, at half time, that if they were able to cut out the silly penalties and revert to playing with some structure that they had enough to beat the visitors.

In a much better second half Farnham only conceded one penalty within their own half, which was missed by the visitors and scored two well worked tries.

The first came from some good pressure at the scrummage by the Farnham pack, before Chris Penn scored his second try of the day, which he converted, to leave the score 12-20.

Farnham really knew they were back in the game after some good hands in the backs allowed Dave Hurley to unleash the afterburners and scorch in from fifty metres, having danced around his opposite number.

This try was converted and Farnham spent the last five minutes or so trying to work their way into a position to score or to win a penalty, to no avail. The time ran out and Farnham were to face their first defeat of the season.

Farnham’s forwards will know that they worked well in the set piece, but not in the loose and that they will, as a group, have to pick up their work rate if this team is to go on to gain promotion.

Farnham did not enjoy this defeat and it would have been easier to take if they had played as well as they can and had been beaten by a better side, but they didn’t and they weren’t.

Farnham are heading away to Footscray in the next round of the Junior Vase on Saturday and will use the opportunity to ensure that everyone is on time, organised and properly prepared for a game of rugby. The level of complacency shown on Saturday cannot be allowed to creep in again.

Thereafter, Farnham will return to league action with two huge fixtures in two weeks which will, undoubtedly, shape the season, so it is now time to train and get organised.

In this week’s unfamiliar news; neither Toby Comley nor Chas Penn scored and Fran Meager didn’t give away a penalty!

Farnham: Gareth Yeomans, Morgan Rushton, Graeme Black, James Peacock, Angus Harrisson, James Trodden, Deane Chiverton, Alex Carlsson, Chris Penn, Dave Hurley, Toby Comley (c), Chas Penn, Fran Meager, Gabe Hills. Replacements: Richard Gregory, Steve Simmons, Henry Milas.