Beaten Farnham secure vital bonus point

You could have sat in the clubhouse after the game and everyone would have had a different slant on it. Cornish supporters loving the power game and tries were thrilled. But they also knew that at times they had been rattled to the core. Unexpected proximity when second in the league pits against second from bottom.

Conversely the Farnham faithful would point out that they had scored four tries and rather charmingly three of them were the pick of the match.

Realism suggests that Farnham were never going to win but in patches they bested their successful opponents and on occasion ran them absolutely ragged - an important signal to the lower teams in the league. Effort and enthusiasm never flagged and with impact off the bench, Farnham were strong throughout the last twenty minutes. Decision making comes with experience and that lack of split second instant choice probably cost Farnham on three occasions handing an already potent Cornish team additional bonus tries - the difference on the day.

Farnham were fitful and began horrendously badly penned in their own twenty-two the Cornish forwards rumbled over from a line-out catch and drive. The signs looked ominous when on seven minutes Cornish No 8 Brading shepherded his pack from a five metre scrum and crashed over 12-0. Somehow Farnham to their credit kept going.

Comments to your correspondent on the lines of "You're going to need a bigger pad!!"were proved wrong as Farnham began to break out, demolishing the seemingly impregnable Cornish defence.

Reece de Gruchy, who enjoyed a superb 80 minutes, towered in the line-out aided by the workhorse that is Steve Simmons, quick ball to Oli Brown and the backs, through Chris Penn, at last move the ball at pace - Corlett, Akin-Olugbade to a flying Tom O'Connor. 12-5 after 18 minutes.

The Cornish Lion has had his tail tweaked and back they roar. Again after a moment of indecision, a knock on, Cornish attacking scrum and home Flanker Anstey crashes over with the excellent home full back Josh Allison methodically claiming the conversion 19-5 home advantage.

There were other excellent Farnham performances. Buster Bond remains in rumbustious form and won a penalty at a particularly brutal turnover. In front of the posts Chris Penn does not miss and the see-saw continued. Naisbitt, Davidson and Jorris in the bear-pit that is the front row of the scrum were enjoying some success despite being in retreat for a significant part of the game. Trodden and his replacement Meagher were encouragingly lively as the twenty minutes before half time became an engaging contest - thrust and counter thrust - back and fore.

From line-out ball off the top through Angus Harrison, who put in one of his best performances of the season. The move broke down but Bond spun the ball wide and quickly to Akin. The overlap was on and quick, accurate transfer from skipper and Farnham man of the match Toby Comley released winger Chas Penn who, despite the attentions of the Cornish defence, backed himself and crashed over by the left hand post. Brother Chris completed the formalities to put the pressure back on the home side. 19-15.

An unusual knock-on from Akin put the home forwards under pressure - scrum penalty and Allison completes the three pointer on the half-time whistle. 22-15.

With the sun on their backs and the wind in their favour Farnham received the kick off and for fifteen minutes Cornish delivered their blows - turnover and quick ball to winger Skinnard. Try! Extras from the ever reliable Allison. 29-15. From the kick off a forward drive releases Allison in full flight. 34-15 and the home side starting to move up through their repertoire. Two more tries from Anstey and Cornish have moved out of sight at 44-15.

But then Farnham delivered their response after a break out led by Mike Salmon off the bench. Dummying his opposite number and the gain line crossed, a beautifully timed pass and Tom O'Connor is over to complete his double. Farnham have the momentum and come back immediately. Franklin on for Simmons smashes forward from the kick off freeing up Salmon who again slices through the home defence and provides Comley with a sumptuous off - load. Still with men to beat Comley jinks in under the posts. Chas Penn with the extras 44-27 and the precious bonus point.

The Cornish malaise did encourage Farnham back into the game. However, finishing strongly, and with the aid of the referee who failed to spot the home scrum-half shielding the ball carrier, they scored a push over try on the final whistle 51-27.

Apart from the denouement try Farnham had finished the match with great line speed and three quarter play having initially struggled to get into any gear at all. At times there was some superb play and ambition, unfortunately this was eclipsed by an unacceptable number of errors and poor decisions. This young team will learn and will need to learn quickly as they seek the three wins they need to secure safety in London SW 2.

Next week KCS Old Boys visit Monkton Lane come for lunch and the game or come and cheer the boys on - it is a must win encounter!!

Podium Points
Toby Comley 3
Johnny Davidson 2
Angus Harrison 1