Farnham edged in basement clash

High hopes for Farnham as they entertained close rivals Weybridge Vandals at Monkton Lane. Surely the Farnham faithful would be treated to a win. Frustrations continued as Farnham once again were pipped at the post – no festive fayre for the home crowd – a 9-14 defeat and another chance gone begging.

This is proving to be a long hard slog for Farnham still bottom of the league after twelve matches. Just three teams have moved ahead of the pack Winchester, Tottonians and London Cornish the remaining nine are part of the skirmish for safety. Over the last two months Farnham have adjusted their playing style and the results are so nearly there but frustration, lack of confidence, isolation at the breakdown have denied the final clinching opportunities. This encounter was no different the outcome a bonus point loss when a narrow victory was on the cards.

Make no mistake this is an unforgiving league, Vandals had come to play high tempo rugby and under perfect December blue skies with an equalising cold Westerly breeze blowing across the pitch they kicked off and immediately put Farnham under pressure. Changing pace and putting their back division through the gears Centres Cassian Law and Ryan Humphrey began to make inroads. Tidy quick possession looked to be the order of the day. The Vandals 8 Darren Livett had a field day as every probing kick seemed to end up in his not insignificant arms. Seven phases and the Vandals smashed into the 22 - penalty for not releasing but with the wind swirling and playing tricks Humphrey pulled the kick wide.

Relief for Farnham and a counter attack. Corlett crashing through the middle and quick ball from skipper Comley to Hurley a scissors move to the ever attentive flyer Gabe Hills sniffing for opportunities like a dogs nose looking for treats. A 50 metre territory gain and Vandals penalised for killing the ball at the breakdown. Easy points for the assured boot of fly-half Chris Penn. 3-0 Farnham.

The pace was ramping up both sides happy to run quick tap penalties to free up the backs. Extra yardage for both sets of forwards as the breakdown became the premium point. De Gruchy, Farnham’s Man of the Match, picking from the base of the scrum supported by Dedman and Trodden were in a street fight with their opposite numbers Cottam and Boffee. This was a last man standing confrontation. Both scrum halves sniping for position – Comley playing out of position at scrum half battling with his opposite number Hall for domination around the fringes.
Something was bound to give.

After another Hills break out centre Chas Penn caught in possession a towering penalty bobbles into the home 22 and from the ensuing line-out Vandals centre Law breaks three tackles to score a superb individual try after some casual defending in the Farnham midfield.

As half-time approaches back come Farnham the scrums are starting to creak but in open play second rows Simmons and Harrison and the front row combo of Naisbitt, Davidson and Coutts are making inroads, five phases sees the Farnham pack drive into the visitor’s 22, not releasing Vandal’s Boffee to the bin and on half-time Chris Penn secures the points 6-7.

This is close and the first side to blink will lose. Has the Farnham confidence subsided after three years of winning rugby – most of the faithful would say yes? Are the old heads managing games the faithful would say no? Higher level rugby is a learning experience – keep the ball, don’t get isolated, take the points on offer, put the opposition under pressure in both defence and attack. Simple!!

Vandals are a mid-table side and their slightly greater level of experience showed, successive driving mauls pressure on the Farnham defence and the penalties began to accumulate. Two unsuccessful kicks in the tricky cross-breeze forced them to change tactics to Farnham’s cost. A driving scrum, penalty and kick for the corner, the attacking line-out sacked but scrum-half Sam Hall, a constant buzzing threat with his pace and variation, sniped over under the posts - with the extras from Humphrey 6-14 and a two score advantage to Vandals.

Still twenty minutes to play and back came Farnham, nail-biting time and drive after drive beaten back. Penalty and a kick to the corner – driving line-out held up agonisingly close. Scrum for Vandals and safety again. Crabb through the middle supported by O’Connor held another drive checked. Frustration in the crowd.

Down to five minutes – Hurley held another penalty again to the corner – again inches short!

The final flourish Hills stopped short of the line, Salmon on the burst, penalty. Chris Penn for the bonus point 9-14. At least Farnham did not come away empty handed but some serious game management discussions need to take place to ensure that Farnham deservedly play their way to safety during the remainder of the season.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!