Hills Hatrick Leads Hornets to Tough Home Win

Having previously beaten the Basingstoke 3s team away, by a score of 41-12, playing against the 2s side was expected to be a much tougher fixture. This is especially true given that the Basingstoke first team currently play in National 3 and their second team feed in to this league.

The Hornets warmed up following the Italy vs. England game viewed in the clubhouse and got ready to kick-off at 3pm. The Basingstoke team were considerably larger than the Farnham team at first glance but initial exchanges saw Farnham absorb pressure, before Gabe Hills flew out from the 22 to intercept the ball as it moved down the Basingstoke back line. Hills then sprinted the remaining 70 yards of the pitch and touched down under the posts to give Farnham the lead.

Returning from a recent ankle injury this was Gabe’s first run out for the second team, and equally his debut at fly half. The conversion after the try was missed and Farnham took a 5-0 lead. Upon taking the lead, the Hornets confidence swelled, with excellent tackling and ferocious running with the ball in hand. Centre, Ben Crean, ran powerfully into the midfield, taking several tacklers to bring him down each time. Equally second row Dan Greene used his mighty frame in the mauls and on short crash balls.

A long kick over the top was knocked on by Farnham which gave Basingstoke good territory. This was then converted into points when they attacked down the blind side and converted in the corner. This took the score to five points apiece.

Undeterred, the Hornets got straight back into action. After some excellent attacking down the left wing by youngster Pat Kitson, the Farnham pack hammered at the Basingstoke line, determined to take the lead once more. The defence was perhaps softened by the forwards, and taking advantage Gabe Hills darted through a gap, using his trade mark side step to go through for another score. Discarding the kicking tee, Hills attempted a drop goal, but this was also missed.

After another period of sustained pressure by Farnham, who brought increasing passion and physicality to the game, the hat trick was completed for Gabe Hills. He scooted through a tiny gap and scored his third try the corner. This time, the most difficult of all three attempts, was successfully converted.

Seemingly shell-shocked, the Basingstoke team tried to respond in the set piece. The Farnham scrum stood up to the pressures of Basingstoke’s heavier pack, however Basingstoke’s class in the lineout was clear to see. They are well drilled and made it tough for the Hornet’s team to keep the ball.

On a kick-off the Hornets passed the ball down away from the chasing pack, only for the ball to go to ground. This was then punted away, but quickly returned with interest and the Basingstoke winger bundled into touch five yards from the Farnham try line. The resulting line-out and maul sucked in the Farnham pack and the Basingstoke forwards then clattered over. The conversion was successful too.

Half time saw Farnham lead 17-12, and all of the Hornets points scored by Gabe Hills. A few substitutes entered the battle during the break and the second period began.

Immediately Basingstoke seemed re-energised and attacked the Farnham backline with their speedy outside centre. The try was scored and converted, taking the game to 19-17 to the away team.

A fantastic break from winger Tom Martin saw him run a full 50 yards with the ball in hand. The Basingstoke defence scrambled and just brought him down, but then gave away a penalty. The decision was made to kick for the posts. Hills lined up and kicked, but the referee signalled for the kick to be taken again as opposition players had infringed when the kick took place. On the second attempt, the ball sailed through and the Hornets re-took the lead, 20-19.

A mention here should go to Ralph Philips who tackled tirelessly, ran with power and was consistency a nuisance at the breakdown. Academy graduate Nathaniel Watt-Plumpkin, came on for his debut for the 2s in the back row and tackled superbly.

Towards the climax of the game, tensions increased. Basingstoke continued to ratchet up the pressure and repeatedly won penalties against Farnham which they turned into territorial gains by kicking to touch and then winning the lineout. When the ball was won back, the Hornet’s countered strongly down the right hand side and Tom Martin, who had earlier come very close to scoring on his long run, dived over in the corner. This took the score to 25-19 with a few minutes left to play.

Sensing the game escaping their grasp, Basingstoke threw everything they had left at the Hornets. The defence stood up to this onslaught until the opposition outside centre, who had proven to be a nuisance all game, scythed through once again and Basingstoke scored in the corner as time expired.

Silence fell over Wilkinson Way as everyone paused to observe the kick that would decide the game. The opposition fly half stepped forward, punted low and leftward, missing the uprights and initiating celebrations among the Farnham players as the final whistle pierced the air. Farnham win 25-24.

Overall a courageous victory for the Hornets, who with the help of Man of the Match Gabe Hills, beat a team who would have given the Farnham first team a good fixture. This game showed that this talented Hornets team also has a lot of heart, putting their bodies on the line and stepping up when challenged.

Next week sees the Hornets return to the league for an away fixture against Warlingham.

Written by Oli Richford.