Farnham Chiefs vs Old Ruts

Match Report by Dorian Soanes

From the off Farnham were haunted by issues seen in the Chobham match 2 weeks
previously.

Ball retention was going to be a big issue with the Chiefs frequently struggling to win their
own ball on the ground.

The Old Ruts attack was relentless and featured strong running primarily through three of
their players.

Despite notable efforts in defence with Taylor adding a few try saving tackles and James wild
who made a hit on one of the Old Ruts players running down the wing that his grandmother
would have felt – Farnham kept leaking soft tries.

Old Ruts game plan was not complex and after winning the ground game they looked to pick
and drive most of the time with the chiefs guards being absent.

Seb added some needed muscle in the defensive effort and often Macs boot got Farnham
out of trouble.

This isn’t to say that Farnham had no time in attack during this period; Freddie, Mac, Ethan,
Dylan, Joe and notably Hunter were all providing excellent attacking options often with clean
balls from Joe or Stanley. But without retention on the ground they were unable to capitalise.

The half ended at 6-0 to Old Ruts giving Farnham an almost insurmountable task.

With the chiefs heads down the Farnham coaches nipped the dejection in the bud with
Churchillian like verse inspiring them to fight to the last.

The Chiefs team that came out in the second half was an entirely different prospect.

The Farnham forwards had woken up and Old Ruts’ were not only prevented from stealing
Farnham ball but had to face now losing their own possession to the Chiefs now playing as
though their lives were in the balance.

Notable turn overs were effected by Hector, William and Dylan.

The Old Rutt’s pick and go game was also thwarted by Farnham who were now guarding the
sides of the breakdown with more notable tackles from the ever reliable Harry Connoly,
Ethan and Hector who shocked himself with an unexpected turn of pace to effect a cover
tackle.

The real Hero of the half for the chiefs came in the from Hunter who battered the Old Ruts
midfield like the ocean crashing against rocks. Eventually old Rut’s broke for Farnham’s first
and only try going to the same man.

The end of the game came with final score of 7-1 to Old Ruts who dominated in the first half
but were matched in the second.

There are many lessons for the Chiefs to take away here but maybe the main one should be
that it is the intensity they bring to the game that will determine the outcome.