Gritty Farnham swept aside

Perfect conditions and a sizeable crowd at Monkton Lane greeted Old Alleynians for their first ever fixture at the new ground - the OAs coach was buoyant claiming that this season he had called on 56 players for his 1st XV - a huge squad of players capable of playing at this level. Farnham on the other hand fielded a bare squad with only two on the bench for this important fixture. This was to be their undoing.
Out of the blocks at 2pm shocking the lunching city fathers who had to run for their boots and coats. A frenetic and ferocious start by Farnham resulted in huge pressure on the visitors wave after wave of driving attacks with Simmons and Trodden to the fore pushed back the visitors and a snipe by scrum half Oli Brown freed up in-form skipper Toby Comley who spotted a gap in the OAs hedge and went through like a rampant badger. 5-0 Farnham.
A powerful start halted by a nit picking referee - penalty OAs and increasing sustained pressure on the home try-line. Desperate defence and a turnover - Reece de Gruchy smashing out from the 22 and on to Fran Meagher, on for James Kenna. Another turnover and OAs launch a driving attack - in steps fly-half Chris Penn to intercept 10 metres out and sprint 60 metres to free his brother centre Chas to slide under the posts 10-0 Farnham increased to 12-0 by the heavy breathing older Penn - Chris.
Back come OAs who enjoyed a 50 point advantage over Farnham in October - tackles missed in a mass breakout and flying winger Ashton sprints 50metres for the touchdown. 12-5.
With half time ticking down from the kick off the OAs back row rampage into the Farnham half on the burst the full back eludes two tackles to score wide out. 12-12 with the extras.
Farnham will not lie down and from a line-out in the visitors 22 Johnny Davidson picks out Angus Harrison at the front of the line-out - quick ball to Brown and Chris Penn chips the blitzing OAs defence for brother Chas to complete his brace of tries. 19-12 at the break.
Frustration was the word in the second half - Farnham have to reshuffle - Weekes off with a recurrence of his ankle problem, Corlett with a shoulder injury - Trodden to hooker. Farnham down to 14 men against an increasingly expansive, free-flowing OAs three quarter line - for 20minutes Farnham are simply swept aside with three tries in quick succession to the visitors. The home side cannot be faulted on effort and time and time they come back but OAs are happy to absorb the pressure then spin the ball wide, work for territory then put the home 14 players under the cosh in the scrum and driving mauls - the pressure squeeze continues. The final mass break-out sees a three man overlap to clinch a bonus point win for OAs by 19-40.
Questions - how at this level can Farnham field just 2 substitutes and select two suspect players carrying injuries? This resulted in a nightmare scenario - no resources.
The players and the supporters deserve more than this. Effort cannot be faulted - the saddest aspect is that Podium top twoers Chris Penn and Toby Comley are playing the best rugby of their careers, Reece de Gruchy third on the Podium is emerging as a superb back row forward. The Academy boys - James Kenna and Oli Brown are playing superbly. The Squad needs to be increased compare our 17 selected with a capable OAs squad of 56 there is no contest. Next week Farnham replay the curtailed fixture with Old Reigatians after a protest. A win is vital.