Old Rutlishians 15 – 27 Farnham

Farnham travelled to Merton to face winless Old Rutlishians (Old Ruts) on Saturday and were able to secure a bonus point win to take Farnham to second in the table behind high-flying Old Cranleighans.

Farnham were fortunate that other results on Saturday went their way to elevate them to second in the league, and were also fortunate that they were able to beat a spirited Old Ruts side.

Farnham started incredibly brightly, with a break by James Corlett inside their own twenty two, which set Fran Meagher away on a 50 metre canter to the line, which he made, just. After 45 seconds, Farnham were 0-5 up.

Farnham then switched off and allowed their hosts back into the game through a combination of poor defence and poor communication. The hosts scoring two quick tries in succession, before Farnham responded with a penalty from the trusted boot of Chris Penn. A frantic first twenty five minutes were up and the score 10-8 to the home team.

The remainder of the half was just as fractious and frantic, but the scoreline remained unchanged until after the break.

Farnham were forced into a change in the front row at half time as Morgan Rushton had to go off with a shoulder injury, but Farnham knew that they had enough to win this game if they were able to cut out some of the silly mistakes.

Farnham scored first in the second half with James Corlett ghosting through the home side’s defence to touch down under the posts, leaving a straightforward conversion for Chris Penn. 10-15 to Farnham now.

Old Ruts were quick to respond and exerted heaps of pressure on Farnham from the restart before working their way upfield to be rewarded with a try, which was unconverted. The scores now 15-15 with twenty minutes to go.

Farnham were able to set Toby Comley away for a score in the corner, which was unconverted, before the hosts, under serious pressure to try and score points of their own, kicked straight to the bulky Pete Daly direct from a twenty two drop out and he barnstormed his way over the line for Farnham’s fourth try, converted by Chris Penn.

The last few minutes passed without incident as Farnham were able to contain their counterparts, who, on this form, should be able to pick up sufficient wins to make themselves safe in this league this season.

Farnham face newly relegated Chipstead at home on Saturday in a real top of the table clash, a win is essential to keep the pressure up on Old Cranleighans at the top of the table and a good turn out is expected and needed in training this week.

Farnham team: Gregory, Richard; Rushton, Morgan; Black, Graeme; Simmons, Steven; Harrisson, Angus; Peacock, James; Foster, Tom; Daly, Peter; Carlsson, Alex; Penn, Chris; Comley, Toby (c); Herrington, Gareth; Corlett, James; Meagher, Francis; Hurley, David.

Replacements; Yeomans, Gareth; Dyer, Dave, Penn, Chas.