Farnham edge league basement nail-biter

Beaten in their opening five matches Farnham's season was hanging by a thread as they made their first ever trip to Tadley Tigers of Berkshire. Tadley have been transferred from the Southern Counties league and are finding the London leagues a much tougher proposition having also lost their opening five encounters.

This was the battle of the basement with both sides determined to enjoy their second start to the season with a much needed win and what a battle it turned out to be.

Farnham's grandstand finish from 18-7 down earned them their first points of the season. Coach George Robson, well used to huge pressure playing in the second row for Harlequins and revelling in his role as pack leader in European Cup battles, was exhausted by the end of this brutally draining game. With only three bench replacements allowed Farnham's cupboard was bare after 34 minutes - Big Bill Dakinimata forced off with a broken arm after enjoying his best start this season, the Farnham Flyer Gabe Hills with a pulled quadricep and pack leader Andrew Bond with breathing problems. Lady Luck has not visited Farnham on many occasions this season.
After soaking up early pressure Farnham began to probe the Tadley defence with a series of drives through the middle and quick ball from scrum half Oli Brown releasing Chris Penn to utilise his runners - Franklin, Simmons, Dakunimata and Crabb to penetrate the gain line. Early pressure began to tell and despite being repeatedly kicked back by the experienced veteran Raymond at fly-half. A further attack saw some superb handling from skipper Toby Comley release winger Dave Hurley to race 35 yards to score a well deserved team try. Salmon slotted the extras to put Farnham 0-7 up after 11minutes.
Back came Tadley battling for their own survival - untidy play from both sides advantaged the home pack as they were starting togain superiority at the scrum and the fastidious referee began to punish the creaking Farnham front five. At this level the scrum must be contested and on far to many occasions the Farnham pack were bullied off the ball conceding territory to the experienced boot of Raymond.
Tadley were gaining momentum and edging back into the game. A Bond high tackle conceding a penalty followed almost immediately by a Tadley drive resulting in another penalty 6-7.
With Bond and Hills suffering Tadley increased the pressure and after a surge by the home pack quick hands put winger Cripps-Jones over in the corner. More was to come as disruption caused by the replacements caught out the retreating Farnham defence and a sumptuous grubber kick by Raymond put winger Bartlett over in the corner. With the ubiquitous Raymond conversion Tadley had opened up an 18-7 lead.
The basement battle was starting to heat up.
As the clock ran down to half time with seven minutes added. Farnham had an opportunity to regroup. The rampaging Dedman on for Bond had started to wreak his own personal havoc on the Tadley defence, penalty and Salmon enjoys success to keep the Farnham score ticking over 18-10 at halftime.
Attrition was the key to the second half with both sides vying for the advantage - the Farnham replacements, Chiverton and Dedman and the ever present Trodden began to take the game to their Berkshire Opponents - Farnham were beginning to pin back the home side playing the territory game with some superb tactical kicking from Mike
Salmon and Chris Penn. From one such line-out Trodden went round the corner to drive on into the heart of the Tadley 22. a superb break by Chas Penn carried the momentum and quick hands by Hurley released Comley to crash over in the corner. A superb conversion by Salmon closed the gap to 18-17 - the nail-biting had begun.
Once again Farnham drive towards the Tadley line - penalty - surely the three points. Brown snipes and snarls opportunity gone.
Back came Tadley with the clock running down and Raymond pushing back the Farnham efforts. The pace and intensity of the game was beginning to take its toll - it was a case of who would blink first - who would last the game out? The physios of both sides were earning their keep.
With nine minutes injury time already played Farnham launched one last surge deep into the Tadley 22, a penalty awarded against the home back row for killing the ball and the last kick of the match. Up steps Mike Salmon in deafening silence and after a seemingly endless pause cooly kicks the match winning points 18-20 to Farnham.
At last some reward albeit a cruel outcome for a spirited Tadley XV. Have Farnham turned the corner? Difficult to tell on this performance, injuries are again beginning to mount however although 'ugly' a win is a win. The Farnham boys deserved their celebrations.
Next week London Cornish visit Monkton Lane prior to the Annual Firework and Music Extravaganza. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Podium Points:
Salmon -3
Dedman - 2
Comley -1