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Sat 02 Nov 2013 · London 3 South West
Sandown & Shanklin
1st XV
10
57
Farnham blow away opposition on windy Isle of Wight
Mark Weeks4 Nov 2013 - 09:00
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The highlights of a 57-10 victory under extremely testing conditions were superb handling and tremendous support play.
On a day more suitable for high speed sailing, Farnham and their faithful supporters took to the high seas for the trip to Sandown and Shanklin. Sailing conditions were perfect, reasonable swell and squally winds. Playing rugby in these conditions, however, is another matter.
We were welcomed to Sandown and its sloping pitch with a howling gale blowing straight down the ground from the South West.
Farnham kicked off into the gale and immediately set the pattern for the first half with a series of pick up and drives from the base of successive rucks and scrums. Patience was required by the pack as a turnover often resulted in a sixty or even seventy yard kick return.
The Farnham forwards spearheaded by Man of the match Pete Daly at 8 and the tight five of Jennings, Dean Chiverton and Trodden backed by a revitalised James Franklin and three try scorer Jason Crabbe continued to probe and drive into the islanders’ 22. Buster Bond and Fran Meagher on the flanks continually created havoc around the fringes but the Sandown pack remained firm. After the ball was lost in the Sandown 22, a huge kick put the home side on the attack in the Farnham half. Increased pressure and a penalty gave the home fly half an easy three points against the run of play.
Ollie Brown and Ben Rubio were now starting to call the shots at half back for Farnham by spinning the ball wide to centres Corlett and Chris Penn who pulled the home forwards around the park and created increasingly larger gaps. From one of these in and out moves the Farnham pack drove over with Jason Crabbe taking the points. A clever Rubio conversion put Farnham into a lead they were never to relinquish.
From the resultant kick off Daly powered through the home pack to release winger Toby Comley who offloaded to full back - and Farnham leading try-scorer - Gabe Hills who does not give up scoring chances; 12-3 to Farnham.
Still the elements were in Farnham’s face but again they picked and drove through the home defence enabling Meagher to squeeze over under the posts. An easier conversion for Rubio made the score 19-3.
Despite significant pressure Sandown would not yield and a rare foray down the slope into the Farnham half resulted in a penalty under the posts and a period in the bin for Farnham centre Chris Penn. The visitor's defence was caught napping by a quick tap penalty by Sandown's elusive scrum caught and the try was scored in the corner on the stroke of half-time. The conversion soared over with the wind and the interval score was 19-10 in Farnham's favour after a disciplined driving forty minutes against the gale force wind.
To say the second half was a rout would do a disservice to the home side who never buckled. However the sheer presence of the rampaging Daly tore the home midfield to shreds. One charge by the big man from the 22 took him 80 metres to score under the posts. From the restart the home side received a repeat dose of Daly’s unstoppable 18 stone at full pace who then offloaded to the ever alert Chas Penn on the wing. Two quick scores and a bonus point secure, Farnham had raised the score to 33-10.
Coach Gary Stennet rang the changes bringing on the bench substitutes including Ed Smith, the former Army rugby captain with his first outing for Farnham. Smith had a good start with his first touch he eased down the touch line to score in the corner. Ed Weeks slotted into the back row and Andy Freshwater took over on the wing. Playing with the wind, Farnham’s pressure on the home side proved relentless and further tries by Jason Crabbe (2) and skipper Toby Comley rounded off a very well structured performance. The highlights of a 57-10 victory under extremely testing conditions were superb handling and tremendous support play.
This side are maturing and will need to be at their best over the next few weeks with games against old rivals Purley John Fisher and Ellingham & Ringwood.
“This tremendous day for the Club was topped off by a superb Bonfire Night with a stunning firework display set to music enjoyed by almost 2,000 people. The spirit in the Club is tremendous at the moment engendered by all the willing volunteers who ensure these occasions are a great success," said Club President Geoff Bond.
We were welcomed to Sandown and its sloping pitch with a howling gale blowing straight down the ground from the South West.
Farnham kicked off into the gale and immediately set the pattern for the first half with a series of pick up and drives from the base of successive rucks and scrums. Patience was required by the pack as a turnover often resulted in a sixty or even seventy yard kick return.
The Farnham forwards spearheaded by Man of the match Pete Daly at 8 and the tight five of Jennings, Dean Chiverton and Trodden backed by a revitalised James Franklin and three try scorer Jason Crabbe continued to probe and drive into the islanders’ 22. Buster Bond and Fran Meagher on the flanks continually created havoc around the fringes but the Sandown pack remained firm. After the ball was lost in the Sandown 22, a huge kick put the home side on the attack in the Farnham half. Increased pressure and a penalty gave the home fly half an easy three points against the run of play.
Ollie Brown and Ben Rubio were now starting to call the shots at half back for Farnham by spinning the ball wide to centres Corlett and Chris Penn who pulled the home forwards around the park and created increasingly larger gaps. From one of these in and out moves the Farnham pack drove over with Jason Crabbe taking the points. A clever Rubio conversion put Farnham into a lead they were never to relinquish.
From the resultant kick off Daly powered through the home pack to release winger Toby Comley who offloaded to full back - and Farnham leading try-scorer - Gabe Hills who does not give up scoring chances; 12-3 to Farnham.
Still the elements were in Farnham’s face but again they picked and drove through the home defence enabling Meagher to squeeze over under the posts. An easier conversion for Rubio made the score 19-3.
Despite significant pressure Sandown would not yield and a rare foray down the slope into the Farnham half resulted in a penalty under the posts and a period in the bin for Farnham centre Chris Penn. The visitor's defence was caught napping by a quick tap penalty by Sandown's elusive scrum caught and the try was scored in the corner on the stroke of half-time. The conversion soared over with the wind and the interval score was 19-10 in Farnham's favour after a disciplined driving forty minutes against the gale force wind.
To say the second half was a rout would do a disservice to the home side who never buckled. However the sheer presence of the rampaging Daly tore the home midfield to shreds. One charge by the big man from the 22 took him 80 metres to score under the posts. From the restart the home side received a repeat dose of Daly’s unstoppable 18 stone at full pace who then offloaded to the ever alert Chas Penn on the wing. Two quick scores and a bonus point secure, Farnham had raised the score to 33-10.
Coach Gary Stennet rang the changes bringing on the bench substitutes including Ed Smith, the former Army rugby captain with his first outing for Farnham. Smith had a good start with his first touch he eased down the touch line to score in the corner. Ed Weeks slotted into the back row and Andy Freshwater took over on the wing. Playing with the wind, Farnham’s pressure on the home side proved relentless and further tries by Jason Crabbe (2) and skipper Toby Comley rounded off a very well structured performance. The highlights of a 57-10 victory under extremely testing conditions were superb handling and tremendous support play.
This side are maturing and will need to be at their best over the next few weeks with games against old rivals Purley John Fisher and Ellingham & Ringwood.
“This tremendous day for the Club was topped off by a superb Bonfire Night with a stunning firework display set to music enjoyed by almost 2,000 people. The spirit in the Club is tremendous at the moment engendered by all the willing volunteers who ensure these occasions are a great success," said Club President Geoff Bond.
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