The Great Escape.

However to the delight of hundreds of spectators, Farnham clinched the victory in the dying minutes of the game.

In perfect conditions on an immaculate pitch, the early sparring saw penalties awarded to both sides. For twenty minutes the score remained level at 3-3 with both sides probing for position. Eventually Farnham broke the deadlock to score under the posts. Ben Rubio finished the move with his trademark jink and sprint for the line. Having touched down, he added the extra as a formality.

Ellingham & Ringwood (E&R) are a fit, organised, and well drilled outfit that has enjoyed success in this league for five years. They were fielding their strongest XV for the first time this season and it showed. The team is powerful throughout with experienced lieutenants at scrum and fly half and an explosive inside centre backed by a powerful pack.

They responded to the Farnham score by making deep inroads into the Farnham half. The pressure brought its reward with a penalty in front of the posts followed almost immediately by a well worked try. At 10 - 11 to the visitors, the pressure on Farnham was mounting. Usually so organised in defence, Farnham were under the cosh and the pressure told. No 8 Pete Daly and flanker Buster Bond were sent to the bin in quick succession.

Down to thirteen men Farnham needed inspiration. Centre James Corlett stepped up to provide by breaking out into the E&R half. Corlett was tackled and E&R illegally slowed down the play. Converting the penalty, Rubio nudged Farnham back into the lead 13-11. The half time whistle gave all –players and spectators – some time to catch their breath.

The second half opened with a series of attacks from Farnham. However, the visitors back row enjoyed success at the breakdown and did much to disrupt the home side’s efforts. E&R’s next score was the direct result of a turnover. The try was converted and the visitors led 13-18. Two penalties restored the lead for Farnham but 19-18 was always a fragile advantage. The Farnham faithful remained uneasy.

And rightly so, for back came the visitors with two brilliantly worked tries. The first was a stunning individual effort by the scrum half who broke through the open side, chipped the defence and showing great footballing skills, finished under the posts. The second was a switch move in the centre allowing the E&R blind side flanker to dot down unopposed. So with only ten minutes left on the clock, the score was 19-32 and the home side still struggled to get their game going.

Perhaps providing a glimpse of what was to happen the following day on the international stage in Dublin, the Farnham players did not stop believing. They put is a period of intense pressure over twenty phases that battered the opposition who in turn simply refused Farnham over the line. The pressure grew in its intensity and with only nine minutes remaining the deadlock was broken with Farnham scoring out wide. The conversion was missed to leave the score at 24-32.

Immediately from the kick off Daly backed by Franklin and Simmons smashed up the middle to open up the visitors' defence to touch down under the posts. The conversion made it 31-32 with the final whistle imminent.

The coup de grace was delivered by flying full back Gabe Hills who, after another series of Farnham drives flew down the left hand touchline line to smash over in the corner. 36-32.
But the game wasn’t finished and neither were the New Foresters. The intensity grew with a final series of attacks from E&R who, with time running out, needed a try to win. Awarded a penalty, they kicked for the corner. The drive from 10 metres out was halted when the maul was driven into touch. The referee blew his whistle and this superb game and its last ten, breath taking minutes, were brought to a close. The large, appreciative crowd paid full tribute to both sides.

Did Farnham escape from jail? From the visitor’s perspective, yes, they most certainly did! From the home viewpoint, the final period of the game showed a massive amount of spirit, team effort and skill. It was a tremendous result. Both sides can be proud of the contribution they made to what was a great advertisement for the game of rugby union.