The extreme weather conditions threatened this fixture right up to the kick-off. However Old Cranleighians (OCs) ground staff had managed to prepare a playable pitch. Even after a downpour minutes before kick-off, the pitch held up for the full eighty minutes allowing both sides to produce some stunning passages of play.
OCs are going through a poor period of form with five losses in a row. Farnham have only managed to win once at OCs Thames Ditton ground in ten years. Was it time to break the hoodoo?
On a cloying surface and in blustery winds, the early exchanges saw Farnham gain the ascendancy at the scrum with the front row of Trodden, Rushton and Jennings turning the screw. In these conditions one mistake can transform attack into defence. And so it was that a dropped ball in the OVs 22 led to a massive kick back into the visitors' 22. The OCs took an early lead from a penalty awarded at the subsequent lineout.
This Farnham squad has evolved over the last four years from Surrey Div 2 to their current lofty position in London South West 3. The team spirit across the squad has created a privileged position for all the players. They all enjoy playing together and for the Farnham shirt - an experience that only happens once or twice in a playing career.
This spirit began to show though. After a series of forward drives were halted illegally, Farnham opted for a penalty scrum near the OC five metre line. Pete Daly’s pick up from the base was thwarted but the ball was kept alive and quickly shipped to lock James Franklin who was driven over the line by his back row partner Steve Simmonds.
Farnham were in the lead and were never to relinquish it.
Weather dictates tactics and Farnham adapted well to the conditions by keeping the ball “up the jumper” and launching wave after wave of close-in pick and drives. Often the mud and the wind would make the last pass go to ground or force a drive to peter out with accidental offside or in touch. But these frustrations served to harden the Farnham resolve. Eventually and deservedly the Farnham forwards Daly and Crabb combined with Buster Bond for him to cross the line and put daylight between the sides with a score of 3-12.
The referee blew for half-time after an exciting forty minutes in which OCs had enjoyed the wind at their backs and the slight slope. Farnham's disciplined tactics had dampened the home team's spirited efforts and so turned round with the slight advantage.
The first period’s pummelling had told on the home team who introduced all of their replacements. Farnham were on the front foot and began to take advantage.
The match was essentially turned sealed by a rampaging Pete Daly who showed superb skill for a No 8. He crashed down the right wing, chipped the OC winger, charged down the full-back's clearance kick and touched down to give a commanding lead of 3 - 17.
OCs continued to battle away in defence but injuries and cramp began to take their toll and gaps appeared. Skipper Comley rounded off a superb break out by centres Corlett and Salmon to secure Farnham's 15th bonus point of the season.
The floodgates opened as Farnham rang the changes. Chiverton came on for Crabb, Ross for Rushton and Ben Crean - making his 1st XV return after a 10 year break - for Meagher. The team ramped up another gear as the newcomers sought to make an impact. Centre James Corlett and fly-half Chris Penn went in for well-deserved tries.
OCs still came back for more, but their attacks left holes in their defence allowing Farnham to counter at will. Skipper Toby Comley finished a dash down the right wing with a “swallow dive” that the soggy ground contrived to turn into a less than elegant “snow plough” – much to the hilarity of a crowd dominated in numbers by the Farnham faithful.
With the clock running down Ed Weeks, who had again produced a superb all round performance, crossed the line on the left wing sliding in from a full ten yards.
Farnham, renowned for their running game, had proved that they could overcome the challenging conditions and switch to the wet weather driving variety. The pack was outstanding. All eight starters and the bench replacements linked up seamlessly to wear down the OCs and set up the platform for the back division to plunder tries. In spite of the conditions some of the handling was superb with scrum half Ben Rubio showing audacious skills whilst conducting proceedings.
3-44 was an impressive return from a game in which both sides were determined to play rugby despite the appalling conditions. Farnham's tactics, tight five and superior fitness levels were the winning formula.
Next Saturday Monkton Lane hosts fifth placed Sandown and Shanklin who have started to string together some good results. Will the home team’s seemingly indomitable spirit prevail?
Presidents Podium: James Franklin 3, Pete Daly 2, Steve Simmons 1