Legal Challenge Met

A lush 2nd team pitch at Monkton Lane, which had seen plenty of rain in the preceding 24 hours, was the stage for the clash between Farnham Hornets and the Law Society 2nd XV on Saturday afternoon. A fired-up Hornets side crashed over for a try after a strongly-driven rolling-maul, Gareth Yeomans making the touchdown to put the hosts in front after ten minutes. Continued pressure in the early part of the half resulted in a Ben Crean score on a crash-ball after just another five minutes to put Farnham 14-0 up.

The promising start was soon put into perspective by a strong response from Law Society, however, as they rose to the challenge and scored twice themselves through quick hands behind a reinvigourated forward pack who were, by now, providing some quality front-rot ball for a talented centre pairing. Farnham fell foul of several refereeing decisions at the breakdown for handling and not rolling away, providing precious momentum for Law. Two scores from Law before the half with one successful conversion saw the sides change ends at 14-12 to the hosts.

Following some player changes at half-time from both sides, Law continued to make progress with a further score to gain the lead for the first time at 14-17 following a missed conversion. Farnham's forward pack started to turn the tide, however, and with Law now being moved slowly backwards at each breakdown, Andy Jame's skilful marshalling of the backs, bringing the centres on to delicately-presented ball at the gain line to hit the gaps that were beginning to appear, finally resulted in a dive over into the corner for a try from Jack Miller on the wing with 15 minutes left in the match. A missed conversion left the score at 19-17 to Farnham.

Law managed to maintain their discipline and returned the kickoff strongly and with solid intent, but a skilful turnover from Farnham gave them possession around the halfway line. two phases later Ben Gandy made a break though the middle. faced with two defenders bearing down he made a half-grubber kick off his knees, managed to get his foot to the ball after a short chase and finally touched it down under the posts for what would be the final try of the match. A successful conversion from Andy Freshwater left the score at 24-17 to Farnham, who were delighted to have shown such determination and character in gaining the win from such a strong and well-organised side.