Guildford v Farnham U14 Division 1

The close relationship between Farnham and Guildford always makes this fixture a must win for both clubs and in a league 1 clash, the fact that boys from either team attend many of the same schools meant bragging rights as well as points were up for grabs on Monday morning. As Farnham kicked off the game they had a strong wind at their backs and put Guildford under immediate pressure. After 3 phases of play a clever short move down the blind side by Tom Purnell at SH found Number 8 Connor de Voil on his shoulder and he took great delight in scoring against his old club by crashing over from 10 metres out.

Despite their poor start however, it quickly became apparent that Guildford were here to compete and won a series of rucks putting them deep into Farnham’s 22. Robust defensive work particularly by the engine room of James Taylor, Finlay Edwards, Harry Lawson and “Captain Crash” Elliot Cattermull kept Guildford out. On their 5th phase it was the Jackal kings Johnny Redford and Max Mitchel who once again created the turnover. Finlay Egan at FH relieved the pressure with a strong kick into the opposition’s half and the excellent exit strategy honed on the training pitch led to a kick chase by lightning fast Ed Robinson who stole the ball from Guildford’s full back. Slick hands through the backs found Archie Rawnsley’s pace out wide unstoppable and his try under the posts was converted by Oli Jones.

Guildford came back again and scored a try of their own after sucking in Farnham’s defence and going wide for a well worked move into the corner.
The game ebbed and flowed as both sides tried to establish dominance but it was Farnham who scored again as classy handling through Oli Male and Oscar Beard put the speedy second row Max Davison in space on the left wing and he outpaced the Guildford cover to score in the corner. That try was followed by another straight from kick off as Oscar Beard caught the ball and slalomed his way through the Guildford cover to score an impressive solo try.
Guildford showed their spirit by pressing again and only the bravest of tackles by Max Walker on the wing stopped their number 8 from making the try line. Oli Jones at fullback also did well to field a number of tricky kicks but Guildford would not be denied and scored another try just before half time leaving the match still very much alive and with Farnham facing a second half into a strong wind.

The second period started with too many Farnham forwards sensing a try opportunity and hanging out in the back line which meant Guildford put Farnham under pressure at the breakdown and as a result scored a try after the series of interesting penalty decisions marched them to within 10 metres of the Farnham line. A quick tap whilst Farnham boys were being spoken to by the referee meant there was no cover as Guildford’s scrum half dived over for the score. After that however Farnham slowly pulled away on the score board. The outstanding flanker William Trenholm exerted his physical dominance by scoring two superb tries which bookended the best team try of the match by Tom McGinn: - 3 quick rucks sucked in the Guildford cover and Oli Male at SH seeing the space out wide sent the ball through Finlay Egan, Archie Rawnsley and Oscar Beard to Tom McGinn who used his natural class to draw and outpace the cover for a fine try converted by Oscar Beard.

A good win but with much to still work on! Man of the match William Trenholm and Captain Elliott Catermull put the icing on the cake by defeating Guildford’s captain and best player in the post- match fizzy drink off to the tune of “drink it down you Zulu Warrior! The best things in rugby never change!

Rick Egan