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Sat 06 Dec 2014 ·  London 2 South West
Portsmouth
1st XV
28
15
Farnham bullied to defeat
Mark Weeks7 Dec 2014 - 10:05
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Both Farnham and Portsmouth were propping up London 2 SW at the start of this must win encounter.
This tight league, which seems to produce obscure results on a weekly basis where the top sides regularly have trouble with those at the bottom, is proving to be a challenging season for Farnham. After pushing league challengers Winchester so close on their last outing Farnham were expecting to be too strong for fellow strugglers Portsmouth on Saturday.
Brilliant blue skies and still conditions seemed to inspire Farnham who got off to their best start this season. From the Kick off Farnham secured the ball and went through the phases. Steve Simmons and Angus Harrison leading the charge backed by Bond, Todden and de Gruchy. Tosh Masson in at fly half began to pull the strings from the off.
On 8 minutes slight of hand from Masson opened up the home defence freeing skipper Toby Comley to romp to the corner for the opening Farnham try. Masson missed the conversion but back came Farnham from the kick off securing possession and releasing scrum half Oli Brown to launch a towering box kick into the Portsmouth half. Hesitation in the home defence and hooker Johnny Davidson snaffled the bouncing ball and set off on a mazy run to the posts. 0-10 extended with extras by makeshift kicker Gabe Hills in the absence of usual kickers Mike Salmon and Chris Penn.
This was Farnham at their tantalising best quick ball, pressure on the opposition.
The best start they have enjoyed all season.
Portsmouth were shocked into action and their wily fly-half Simon Morgan began to probe for the corners. The lumbering Portsmouth front five were beginning to move into juggernaut tactics and drove for the line. Held by Bond illegally adjudged and Morgan takes the penalty. 3-12.
Farnham continued to play their expansive game with Masson freeing up the flyers - Hills, Chas Penn and Hurley. With returning James Corlett smashing through the centre another try seemed imminent. A snipe by scrum half Brown snuffed out but the Portsmouth back row offside. Hills penalty 3-15 and a Farnham win on the cards.
Just 17 minutes gone and the visitors were running the home side ragged. Sometimes in sport decisions, luck, fate, injuries etc conspire to ruin your day. This was the case from the 17th minute on. Portsmouth decided to rumble their way to victory and their tactics worked. Eventual man of the match Portsmouth flanker Adam Long was beginning to cause trouble at the breakdown, Bond his Farnham counterpart was equal to the threat but began to frustrate the referee whose interpretation at the turnover was odd on occasions and non existent at others. Penalty Portsmouth and a Morgan penalty produces a line-out on the Farnham 5 metre line catch drive try. 8-15.
The rumble tactics were about to take over. Right on half-time a Morgan chip secures another 5 metre line-out. A repeat dose this time secured by Darren Crabb twin brother of Farnham's Jason Crabb. No family favours in rugby. 13-15.
Half time and important second period tactics to discuss.
Disruption is beginning to savage the Farnham XV Brown off with Comley to scrum half, powerhouse Simmons twisted knee off replaced by Ian Williams. The Portsmouth pack are starting to dominate proceedings with mauling rugby - forward they drive - penalty and Morgan secures the lead. 16-15.
The frustration mounts Farnham attack and Portsmouth kill the ball under the posts. Penalty Farnham reversed as Dedman tries to ruck the player of the ball. The flashpoint has been missed and Farnham down to 14. Penalty reversed and the home line cleared. On the Portsmouth heavyweights rumble into the Farnham 22 the drive is stopped Bond straight through the middle secures possession. Referee decides illegally, further yellow or substitution leaves skipper Comley no option de Gruchy back on for Bond.
From the ensuing line-out the home forwards sense victory and complete the drive 21-15.
After a tremendous opening period Farnham have naively been suckered into a forward battle in which they were both outweighed and outfoxed. No excuses this was a disappointing outcome which could, by maintaining the expansive running game to tire the home forwards, so easily have produced a different outcome.
The final piece of the jigsaw was completed deservedly by man of the match the Portsmouth 7 Adam Long who was freed up 35 metres out and sprinted for the corner to clinch a much needed home victory which lifts Portsmouth to 15 points and firmly secures Farnham at the bottom of the league.
The spirit in the Farnham side is unquenchable however the tactics here played right into the hands of the bigger Portsmouth forwards. Some serious thought needs to go into the tactics before the two home games Warlingham on the 13th and Vandals on the 20th running up to Christmas. These have now become 'must-wins' in order to set Farnham up for the New Year fixtures - more of the expansive tactics and less of the street fight may well be the key.
Brilliant blue skies and still conditions seemed to inspire Farnham who got off to their best start this season. From the Kick off Farnham secured the ball and went through the phases. Steve Simmons and Angus Harrison leading the charge backed by Bond, Todden and de Gruchy. Tosh Masson in at fly half began to pull the strings from the off.
On 8 minutes slight of hand from Masson opened up the home defence freeing skipper Toby Comley to romp to the corner for the opening Farnham try. Masson missed the conversion but back came Farnham from the kick off securing possession and releasing scrum half Oli Brown to launch a towering box kick into the Portsmouth half. Hesitation in the home defence and hooker Johnny Davidson snaffled the bouncing ball and set off on a mazy run to the posts. 0-10 extended with extras by makeshift kicker Gabe Hills in the absence of usual kickers Mike Salmon and Chris Penn.
This was Farnham at their tantalising best quick ball, pressure on the opposition.
The best start they have enjoyed all season.
Portsmouth were shocked into action and their wily fly-half Simon Morgan began to probe for the corners. The lumbering Portsmouth front five were beginning to move into juggernaut tactics and drove for the line. Held by Bond illegally adjudged and Morgan takes the penalty. 3-12.
Farnham continued to play their expansive game with Masson freeing up the flyers - Hills, Chas Penn and Hurley. With returning James Corlett smashing through the centre another try seemed imminent. A snipe by scrum half Brown snuffed out but the Portsmouth back row offside. Hills penalty 3-15 and a Farnham win on the cards.
Just 17 minutes gone and the visitors were running the home side ragged. Sometimes in sport decisions, luck, fate, injuries etc conspire to ruin your day. This was the case from the 17th minute on. Portsmouth decided to rumble their way to victory and their tactics worked. Eventual man of the match Portsmouth flanker Adam Long was beginning to cause trouble at the breakdown, Bond his Farnham counterpart was equal to the threat but began to frustrate the referee whose interpretation at the turnover was odd on occasions and non existent at others. Penalty Portsmouth and a Morgan penalty produces a line-out on the Farnham 5 metre line catch drive try. 8-15.
The rumble tactics were about to take over. Right on half-time a Morgan chip secures another 5 metre line-out. A repeat dose this time secured by Darren Crabb twin brother of Farnham's Jason Crabb. No family favours in rugby. 13-15.
Half time and important second period tactics to discuss.
Disruption is beginning to savage the Farnham XV Brown off with Comley to scrum half, powerhouse Simmons twisted knee off replaced by Ian Williams. The Portsmouth pack are starting to dominate proceedings with mauling rugby - forward they drive - penalty and Morgan secures the lead. 16-15.
The frustration mounts Farnham attack and Portsmouth kill the ball under the posts. Penalty Farnham reversed as Dedman tries to ruck the player of the ball. The flashpoint has been missed and Farnham down to 14. Penalty reversed and the home line cleared. On the Portsmouth heavyweights rumble into the Farnham 22 the drive is stopped Bond straight through the middle secures possession. Referee decides illegally, further yellow or substitution leaves skipper Comley no option de Gruchy back on for Bond.
From the ensuing line-out the home forwards sense victory and complete the drive 21-15.
After a tremendous opening period Farnham have naively been suckered into a forward battle in which they were both outweighed and outfoxed. No excuses this was a disappointing outcome which could, by maintaining the expansive running game to tire the home forwards, so easily have produced a different outcome.
The final piece of the jigsaw was completed deservedly by man of the match the Portsmouth 7 Adam Long who was freed up 35 metres out and sprinted for the corner to clinch a much needed home victory which lifts Portsmouth to 15 points and firmly secures Farnham at the bottom of the league.
The spirit in the Farnham side is unquenchable however the tactics here played right into the hands of the bigger Portsmouth forwards. Some serious thought needs to go into the tactics before the two home games Warlingham on the 13th and Vandals on the 20th running up to Christmas. These have now become 'must-wins' in order to set Farnham up for the New Year fixtures - more of the expansive tactics and less of the street fight may well be the key.
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