Farnham free running

Playing a recently relegated Old Freemans, who last year dropped back to Surrey 1 from London SW 3, the game was seen as a key indicator of how Farnham would fare in Surrey division 1. A few key changes in the squad saw Bond replaced in the back row and Rushton at hooker by, Foster and Marshall. The day also saw the return of Chas Penn in the centre for his first game of the season.
Farnham took an early lead as Old Freemans gave away an early penalty, Rubio stepped forward and slotted the ball through the uprights to give Farnham an early lead. The lead was short lived as Old Freeman’s kicked off, won the ball and span it wide ending in a great score in the corner, bringing thre score to 5-3 after 5 minutes. An injury to centre Weeks saw the appearance of Chas Penn.
After a number of infringements, the referee went to his pocket and yellow carded an Old Freeman’s forward. Unfortunately a minute later Farnham gave away a penalty that was kicked easily giving the opposition a 5 point lead. The game slowly favoured Farnham now and after a good drive by the forwards, winger Meagher was released into the corner levelling the scores. Centres Corlett and Penn showed why they were a force last year and made a number of good breaks and defended with some crunching tackles. A move from these two lead to Yeomans being held just short of the line, the ball then went wide and skipper Comley was just held out in the far corner. Number 8 Daly was also showing class with great hands and marauding running.
The deadlock was broken by Chris Penn who took a quick 22 drop out that was picked up by Corlett who passed back to Penn who then span wide in a flowing move that ended in Full back Hurley scoring in the corner, displaying pace and skill. Rubio took a great kick and at half time Farnham were leading 15-8.
The second half started with Old Freemans missing a penalty early on, Farnham spent a while defending the line, but Freeman’s were unable to break the hard tackling defence. A massive tackle by second row Simmons shook the crowd, but the referee blew the whistle and penalised him for failing to use arms in the tackle and considered it a shoulder charge and sent him to the bin.
Further Farnham pressure saw Rubio running into gaps and fly half Penn attempting a drop goal, narrowly missed. The forwards then took control and after a number of thundering drives, over a number of phases, Daly was released into space and charged the post, feeding Chas Penn for a walk over try, the conversion was easily taken by the exuberant Rubio.
A number of injuries then saw Chris Penn replaced by the evergreen Lewis, who a minute later was off again with a blood injury. The ever reliable Trodden had already replaced Foster in the back row. Burton had also already had his season debut and showed his skills around the pitch.
The game wandered a little towards the end, but good drives from Black and his forwards and hard tackling from Comley and Penn saw the whistle and the game over with the score still 22-11 to Farnham.
The result sees Farnham second in the league with only a narrow points difference separating them from top position, roll on the next game on the 6th October when Cranleigh travel to Farnham.
Presidents Podium results:
Ben Rubio was the man of the match, closely followed by Yeomans and Meagher
Congratulations must also go to ex Farnham player Ryan Wilson now playing at Glasgow who has just had his first child, a little girl called Ava. All the players wish Ryan and his long term partner Becs, a local Farnham girl all the very best..