Farnham RUFC travelled to London Irish Wild Geese for their first round in the newly created RFU “Papa Johns” knock out competition. They fielded a fresh looking side that gave opportunities to both Academy graduates returning from university for the holidays and some 2nd XV players who have impressed throughout the season.
Farnham kicked off into the wind. The Wild Geese started the better of the two teams with some strong forward carries. However, no matter the new faces, Farnham’s well organised defence kept them at bay. Alex Hill, Farnham’s fly half got his team’s attack going by moving the ball wide. A strong run down the wing by young debutant Tobias Trafford was followed by strong carries from first team regulars Jonny Vincent and Harrison Horner to give Farnham some territory. A few opportunities to open the scoring were let down by small individual errors.
Wild Geese came back strong and after a period of constant pressure, opening the scoring 25 minutes into the game with a strong carry from their number 8 who was busy all afternoon.
Farnham sought an immediate response and put together some good phases to break the Wild Geese defence. However, as the half drew to a close, Farnham went aerial off the boot and the unsighted referee failed to pick up the fumble and subsequent off-side. The Wild Geese player was quick to react to the lack of a whistle and sprinted in. An unlucky moment for Farnham. The conversion was the final act of the first half. 14-0.
The words at half time were to strike next and then play in the right areas. Both teams went for the direct approach and made powerful yards. The penalty count started to rise. A tackle off the ball sent Callum Jones to the bin for 10 minutes, but this didn’t affect Farnham. The defence stood strong with some big tackles by Reece Stennett and flankers of Foster and Haylett.
The coaches rang the changes and Harry West came on at scrum half and Ollie Brown shifted out to fly half. Young Harry Lewis-Gorton came on at prop for an accomplished performance on debut.
Farnham then camped on Wild Geese’s line. Three surging mauls were halted illegally and on the third a Wild Goose was carded. Eventually veteran Tom Foster powered over to close the gap. Conversation successful and the game finely poised at 14-7.
With the Wild Geese now down to 14 players, several high and handsome box kicks from Harry West kept Farnham in the right areas. From a line out just inside the Wild Geese 22, the forwards kept it tight with strong carries toward the posts before the backs reversed the point of attack, Ollie Brown found Toby Salmon in space. He dummied the winger to score Farnham’s second try. Conversation successful to make it 14-14 and Farnham had all the momentum with 20 minutes to go.
Both teams now back to 15 aside, it was all about the side that held its nerve. The Wild Geese attempted to play out of their own half but then their 10 looked up for space to kick ball so slicing the attempt into the hands of Callum Jones. He was quick to pounce, brilliantly stepping the full back to run in under the posts. A very proud moment for the promising Farnham academy graduate and with the conversion good, the score read 21-14 with 8 minutes to go.
The Wild Geese responded quickly with some strong carries and phases, but Farnham’s defence was superb, and the ball was turned over in the Farnham 22. The ball was spun out but the clearance kick was charged down into the grateful arms of a Wild Geese second rower who barged over under the posts to tie the score at 21-21. More bad luck for the Black and Whites with which to test their resolve.

Farnham kicked the restart long and immediately went on the attack. More strong runs from Trafford and Vincent gave Farnham momentum and field position. Ollie Brown marshalled the forwards well and the team kept to their structure until the chance appeared. Brown flung the ball wide to Salmon who picked off the Wild Geese forwards in front of him then passed to Ben Brown lurking outside. Brown steamed down the wing to score the match winning try from 25 meters out (he will say it was at least 40). It was a brilliant team try to put Farnham ahead and the conversation was good. The Wild Geese kicked the restart to Jonny Vincent who gleefully hoofed it into touch to herald the final whistle and put Farnham into the next round.
It was a fabulous team performance with great debuts from Tobias Trafford, Alex Hill, Callum Jones, Rian Stutley and Harris Lewis-Gorton, as well as a first appearance of the season in the 1st XV for veteran Tom Foster. Farnham have a real depth of talent.
President’s Podium:
Ben Brown 3 - match winning try and tackled everything in sight.
Ollie Brown 2 - controlled the game well at both 9 & 10.
Tobias Trafford 1 - exciting in attack and solid in defence.