Academy
Matches
Sun 27 Mar 2022
Farnham R.U.F.C.
Academy
Tries: T Humphreys (2), O Baird, J Brockman, E RichardsConversions: T Humphreys, s plattYellow Carded: D Sweeney, H Wormwell
29
6
Wimbledon
Harlequins cup final 2021-22

Harlequins cup final 2021-22

Toby Glover28 Mar 2022 - 13:40
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cup winners !!!!

The Culmination of the Surrey Colts 2021-22 season tournament, ’The Harlequins cup’, was held at Farnham RFC. Due to covid this trophy has not had a final since 2019 so to host the event and have a Farnham team competing in the final Lent this match an additional air of excitement.

Farnham had come through the tables unbeaten and secured their place in the finals with a pulsating semi-final win a few weeks earlier. The Opposition, Wimbledon RFC (who were in the same league table as Farnham) secured there place in the finals the hard way by beating the other challengers in the playoff tournament and that now set the scene for a pulsating finale.

Tom Humphreys kicked off for Farnham RFC but a good clearance by Wimbledon takes play up to the halfway line. A great line out let Farnham drive deep through the middle of the pitch towards the Wimbledon line only for the ball to be lost and a scrum awarded to the defenders. A Great scrum by Farnham secures possession against the head and the ball is moved wide by Bailey with good ground made by Jake Silvester linking with Tom Humphreys who coming round the outside of him in a beautiful Loop makes a clean break showing a great turn of pace to beat his outside man and score the opening try that sadly was not converted.

A long, deep kick to restart the game is regained by Wimbledon who subsequently enjoy good period of possession but tenacious defense holds them at bay until Farnham are penalised. Wimbledon attack again on to the 22 but once again swarming defense from Farnham forces the error. Wimbledon throw everything at the black and white wall of defense but can’t find a way through but The constant pressure eventually leads to an infraction and Wimbledon are awarded a penalty and opt for the kick making the score 5-3
From the restart the Forwards on both teams set to the task of grinding out dominance with both sets of 8 using their big men to drive in to their opponents territory and
Both teams set to the task of rucking and counter rucking neither prepared to give an inch Theo Clifford and Matt Richards grew in stature as these determined u 17’s were not going to be cowed on this playing field not this day, not this match!
Farnham turning the ball over sent a great grubber kick through by max Williams taking the play deep into the Wimbledon’22 that led to a 5 yard scrum. Quick ball and the
Farnham back row linked with the backs to send crashed ball up twice into Wimbledon’s midfield. Farnham forwards piled in to the fray and Oban Baird bulldozed over from 5 yards setting up a Great conversion into a stiff breeze by Tom Humphreys,12-3. From the restart Wimbledon went on the offensive that was further compounded by Farnham committing a number of infringements that brought their opponents all the way in to Farnham’s 22’ where time after time Farnham rebuffed their driving attacks from both forwards and backs alike Farnham’s back row were everywhere as Clifford, Trafford and Wormwell put their bodies on the line tackling every Wimbledon ball carrier . The pressure mounted on the defense and it was almost inevitable that they gave away another penalty and Wimbledon opted for the points again taking a penalty making the score 12-6.

An intense first half fought tenaciously by two teams determined to put their clubs name on the trophy.

Change of ends and Farnham now has the wind which also saw the back line step up a gear using quick passing and even quicker pace to move the ball wide,
Wimbledon re start the half with a high and hanging ball that they regain possession and plough in to Farnham territory, Ethan Payne takes on the scrum half mantle in the second half
releases Max Williams who offloads to Joe Brockman who with two side steps finds clear space and a scything run takes the pressure off back taking Farnham to a 19-6 lead and two clear scores up.

Wimbledon not to be out done again took the game back to Farnham with their big guns taking on the challenge of battering the defensive line but this time they are faced with Farnham’s Brooker, Sweeney, and Mcginn taking up the challenge to stop the claret and blue tide they finally forcing a turn over the ball from which Farnham launches a huge counter attack from deep in their own half to drive again through the middle of the field with forwards again linking seamlessly with the backs and finally releasing players out wide that gave E. Richards a battle with the Wimbledon and Surrey full back to race towards the line with the cheers of Farnham faithful screamed him on he scored Farnham’s fourth try and took the game to 24-6.
Another restart sees Wimbledon again retake possession but through some tireless work by Brandon and Sweeney whose tackling thwarted Wimbledon’s advances The Farnham line remained solid. Wimbledon’s persistent lines of attack did resulted in a number of penalties near the posts but with the stiff wind now against them and the points gap widening the opposition were forced to look for tries but the black and white wall would not break. Finally finding some space Mat Salisbury light up the right hand side of the pitch with his blistering pace weaving through gaps and with two Wimbledon players trying to stop his progress he was eventually held up over the line Unfortunately the brave Wimbledon nine with a try saving tackle had to leave the field albeit somewhat reluctantly. The re start saw Wimbledon have to take a defensive kick out of their own half that was picked up and moved wide by the Farnham backs that brought the game back in to their opponents half and breaking through the loose line as Wimbledon were slow to cover the field Tom Humphries who started the whole match now sealed an emphatic day with the last try and a solid 29-6 win by Farnham academy.

Match details

Match date

Sun 27 Mar 2022

Kickoff

14:30

Meet time

13:15
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