Sport's Magic was alive at Monkton Lane on Saturday in all its topsy turvy myriad ways. The last games of the season had thrown up the possibility of survival - the formula a bonus point win for Farnham over lowly Effingham & Leatherhead with Portsmouth to lose at fifth placed Old Alleynians.

The outcome - Farnham produced their best performance of the season with a seven try trouncing of their local rivals - Elation. Portsmouth kicking off fifteen minutes later because of traffic problems unexpectedly beat a weakened Alleynians XV by 14-33. After the elation the despair an incomprehensible turnaround.

Lessons to be learnt - the league was not lost on the last day of the season but through the heart of the winter, those Saturdays when tries were perhaps squandered or kicks turned down, those little areas of game management and experience that improve the match plan. This young team will learn from their experiences in this their highest league and come back stronger.
School Report: 1. We must finish off try scoring opportunities.
2. We must get some bigger boys in the class.

But what of Saturday's try fest. Spring conditions greeted the big crowd for the last match of the season - Farnham were ready -they had to win. The no-nonsense Northern referee started proceedings and from the kick off the season's standout forward Steve 'Animal' Simmons claimed the ball, as he was to do at each kick off - an early rampage and the Farnham pack had set the tone. Deep into E&L territory with the ball being kept alive - Farnham looked in the mood.

Pressure began to tell - penalty and the ever reliable Chris Penn made the points look easy despite the swirling breeze. Farnham,playing into the breeze, we're starting to stretch the visitors defence probing for the corners and releasing wingers Tom O'Connor and Chas Penn, support from flanker Toby Comley and a try thwarted - penalty and 6-0.

At last the Eagles wake and join the party - a Chris Penn chip and chase sits up nicely on the hard pitch and is taken at full pace by the E&L fullback,outstripping the home defence and shipping the pass to winger Pearson who slides in at the corner, the kick from Davies good and, after all of the early pressure, Farnham are down 6-7.

That Farnham then scored 47 unanswered points was a testament to their team spirit, sheer cussedness and will to win - the team had to fight to survive and boy did they put on a show for the huge crowd.
On the half-hour Man of the Match James Corlett, enjoying his best game of the season after successive injuries, finished off a sweeping backs move to score out wide. The Penn extras and 13-7 at the break.

The game was still in the balance - no one was predicting. The first five minutes of the second half and somehow Farnham lost four line-outs in row, were the wheels coming off. Undeterred the home team began to move the ball at pace. Salmon to Corlett and flying Tom O'Connor in to break the stalemate. 18-7.

The flood gates were opening - from the kick off flanker Buster Bond makes another turnover releasing quick ball to Oli Brown on the blindside, with Trodden on the charge, Hurley slides through to score under the posts. Again a superb conversion from Chris Penn 25-7.

With the game turning into a rout again Farnham break out with the front row on the rampage, Joris snaps up the loose ball, on to Naisbitt to release hooker Johnny Davidson, skipper Comley on the outside - try and conversion.

Still Farnham press, the Portsmouth score is in the future. First phase ball off the top at the line-out and some sumptuous lines from Salmon and Corlett - try from the Man of the Match and conversion from Penn. 39-7. The equivalent of four goals in seven minutes in football - Effingham have been blown away.
Back come Farnham with ten minutes to play - another Bond turnover, Harrison and Kenna on the charge to free up the ubiquitous Comley on the wing. Try wide out and further extras from Penn.

As the clock runs down the try of the match - Davidson up the right to winger Toby Salmon almost into touch and an audacious flick to Corlett to complete a superb afternoon.

Farnham enjoy their premature celebrations and The Eagles sneak a late consolation try to end proceedings at 53-14.
The wait is agonisingly short - Portsmouth have claimed a very unexpected win and Farnham are condemned to London SW3.

With the support and drive that this wonderful community Rugby Club has lessons will be learnt, new stars will emerge and successes will follow in the future. Farnham should look upon this as a stepping stone to greater things from stronger foundations.