A blustery northerly wind and a boisterous home crowd set the scene for this top versus bottom clash at Tottonians on Saturday. Old rivals in past years Tottonians are the top team in the Southampton Area after the demise of Trojans and Southampton and their recruitment policy through the youth division is reaping dividends.

A young referee under assessment started the proceedings with a shrill blast on his whistle - it was to be the first of many. The home side started with high-paced intent marshalled by their classy fly-half and prompted by scrum-half Allen. Immediately they went through the phases, quick ball, off-loads aplenty creating overlaps as the Farnham defence went into tackle mode. James Kenna, Buster Bond and James Trodden in the Farnham back row striving for that elusive turnover. Wave after wave of home attacks gradually built up the inevitability, just one less than perfect contact provides the opportunity, and sure enough Allen at scrum half spotted his chance to open the scoring 7-0 with extras from fly-half James.

The tackle count was beginning to mount and the effort from centres James Corlett and veteran London Nigeria Jemi Nipe in blitzing the home centres was beginning to force the home team to attack wider out - a cruel bounce doubled the score - line out and an well structured rolling maul. Second row Ramis, a huge prescence throughout, controlled the rumble and plunged over for the first of his three tries. 12-0 and the league leaders could scent blood with fly-half James steering his charges with unerring accuracy Totts began to raise the temperature first winger Dolbear romped over wide out and then four minutes later his o posited winger Faisal completed the bonus point score. 24-0.
With 29 minutes gone Farnham found themselves conceding at a point a minute as Ramis steered another maul under the posts. 31-0 with Allen's conversion.

The ten minutes before half-time showed the character of this Farnham side first skipper Toby Comley raced away for a superb try and back came Farnham to attack in the corner - driving maul held up short, Tottonians kill the drive illegally (bordering on cynically) penalty Farnham. Incensed that a yellow card was not awarded - penalty reversed and Totts clear their lines.
Weak refereeing denied Farnham a further score as Jemi Nipe followed up his own kick and chase denied as he was held back by the Totts full-back. Normally a yellow card and a penalty try. Only a penalty awarded. With half time approaching Farnham opt for the line out and back smash the Farnham pack with Simmons and Franklin on the charge - the driving maul a success and Buster Bond in the van to score 31-10.

With a strong breeze at their backs Farnham are back in the game for the second half. Game management under these conditions is vital. Win ball and kick for the corners, play the territory game and put the opposition under pressure. Whether it was due to the organisation of the Totts defence or a failure to win quick ball the preferred plan subsided as Totts romped over for the all important game breaking try. 36-10.

Time and time again Farnham tried to break down the defensive deadlock. O'Connor on the charge, Kenna through the heart of the defence - both hauled down inches short. Turnover and the superb Allen freeing up man of the match James to probe for opportunities, the ubiquitous Ramis over for another rumbling maul on the hour 43-10.

The final twenty minutes saw valiant Farnham attacks fizzle out as the visitors battled for, what would have been, a well deserved losing bonus point. A final score highlighted Totts superiority. After a length of the field Farnham attack was halted under the posts the Totts backs surged back up the field to put winger Faisal over wide out 48-10 to the league leaders.

Farnham were unfortunate to catch Tottonians in this form,quick off-loads freed up space for this well-drilled outfit and their all round game was just too much for Farnham. The pluses - stand-out Podium Performances from James Kenna on the flank, skipper Toby Comley and No 8 Buster Bond. Johnny Davidson continues to put in superb performances and brothers Chris and Chas Penn released by scrum half Oli Brown are playing some of their best rugby. The pieces of the jig-saw are all their they just need to be managed. Playing the game in the oppositions half would be a massive step forward.