BackSat 29 Oct 2022 · Regional 2 South East
1st XVBeckenham Men 1st XV
39
15
An assured win takes us to #2
Mark Weeks30 Oct 2022 - 14:08
An performance to please the President.
On Saturday the 1st XV, the Vets and their opposition from Beckenham and Esher lined up and, together with a packed balcony, applauded for minute as a mark of respect for FRUFC’s President Geoff Bond who passed away last week after a long battle with heart problems.
Geoff Bond, known to all as “Bondie”, was a long-time servant of the club and a larger-than-life character who defined it’s ethos of fun and positivity.
Perhaps the emotion of the day got to the 1st team who, despite being determined to put on a show, took their time to get going. As results have shown, any team can upset another on their day no matter their position in the league. As well illustrated by the opening sparring, 10th placed Beckenham had made the trip from Southeast London to play.
On receiving the kick off, Farnham started brightly enough by putting in the phases with the ball zipped left and right by scrum half Ollie Brown who had a very good game. It was Ollie to cause panic in the Beckenham defence with a tap and go penalty that took the Farnham attackers deep into the Beckenham 22. However, the charging Marco Azevedo was isolated, and the referee awarded the penalty for not releasing.
The young referee had made the long trip from Yorkshire on an exchange visit. He was being assessed and so was accurate and even handed throughout – although his rigid interpretation of the laws may have interrupted the flow of the game from time to time.
And so, the first ten minutes comprised of attack met by fast defence and then, after a handful of phases, the game halted by the shrill blast of the whistle for a misdemeanour at the breakdown. On 15 minutes Beckenham cleared deep into the Farnham 22 where, in a repeat from previous games, the home side’s ambition to run the ball out is thwarted by a good chase and strong work over the ball. The penalty in front is taken with alacrity, 0-3.
The game resumed its pattern with neither side gaining clear advantage. On one occasion Beckenham took their penalty by launching a towering up-and-under into the Farnham 22, a tactic rarely seen in the modern game. It was effective in that Farnham knocked on and Beckenham had an attacking scrum in a dangerous position. They won their ball – but it was messy as the Farnham pack – led by the front row of Marco Azevedo, Jules Joris and the evergreen Jemi Akin-0lugbade put the squeeze on. The attack petered out.
On twenty minutes Farnham produced a glimmer of what was to come. They disrupted a Beckenham line out and the forwards broke out. Joris on the charge found the considerable bulk of Harrison Horner who crashed through the tackle and off loaded to Jonny Vincent. Beckenham were on the back foot and Brown released the backs. Jones to Salmon, who with a trademark jink opened the space for Reece Stennett at centre to crash over. The shot at goal is missed. 5-3.
Beckenham hit back almost immediately. A training ground move off the top of their line-out put their flankers on a looping run that split the Farnham defence. The conversion fell short. 5-8 after 30 minutes.
No quarter was shown by either side. First Farnham’s Aldwinkle is off for an HIA and soon after a Beckenham player is laid out unconscious. There was nothing malicious in either injury, just two motivated sides playing fast and furious rugby. Observing the protocol for players who receive a serious head injury, the Beckenham player remained on the pitch until the ambulance duly arrived. As the Vets had just concluded their game, the match was restarted on the second pitch.
Beckenham attacked from the resumption, but a timely interception by winger Sam Thomas turned defence into attack in an instant. Beckenham infringe and Salmon launches the penalty to the Beckenham 22, but the Farnham throw was not straight. Having been put under the cosh at the set piece scrum, Beckenham opt for the line-out so allowing Ben Adams to get up and turn it over. Brown to Salmon who attacked the space at the fringe and off-loaded to the supporting Horner who barrelled over for the try in front. The conversion was good. 12-8 at half time and, judging by the score board, not much in it.
That try was the fillip the Farnham boys needed – and perhaps a word or two from coach Ali Chisholm. Within minutes of the restart, they have a penalty in from of the posts and Salmon makes no mistake. 15-8. Michael Salmon is on at centre for Reece Stennett who picked up a rib injury in the first half. He combined skilfully with brother Toby to break down the left wing, the latter going over for the try out wide which he failed to convert. 20-8.
Back come Beckenham but once again Sam Thomas made a timely interception and Farnham were back on the front foot. An outrageous side-step from second row forward Ben Adams provided the space for his team mates to surge into the Beckenham 22. Again, the attack was halted illegally, and Salmon pinged the ball into the corner. There was a moment’s concern when Beckenham intercepted, but the ball is soon retrieved and after some sharp interplay between backs and forwards, Jonny Vincent bursts over. The try is converted, and Farnham were almost out of sight on 25-8.
Perhaps lulled by the scoreboard, Farnham’s foot came off the gas and Beckenham threatened, but the Farnham D does enough to keep them out. It took a moment of brilliance from skipper Toby Salmon to reignite the game. He intercepted a Beckenham pass on the half-way line and a lung-busting 50 metre dash evaded pursuers and cover defence, he crashed over out wide. The conversion attempt shaved the wrong side of the post, but the scoreboard reads a very agreeable 32-8.
From the restart, No 10 Ben Jones – another player on song on the day – turned the Beckenham back three with a long, raking kick into their 22. The Beckenham winger touched the ball on its way to the line. There was a taste of champagne to this Farnham attack as the ball from the line out fizzed across the back line giving Sam Thomas space to attack. He brought the ball back into midfield where a couple of phases from the forwards allowed Brown to pop the ball up to Jones for his well deserved try. Salmon was accurate from the tee. 39-8.
Another lapse of defensive concentration allowed Beckenham to score a try what was hurriedly converted by a drop goal. 39-15. It would be unjust to call that score a “consolation” as Beckenham never gave an inch for the 80 minutes and their players were all a credit to their club. They were simply outfought and outclassed on the day.
Farnham marched back up the field from the restart and looked set to score again, but the attacking line out went awry, and the ref blew the final whistle.
President’s Podium points: Toby Salmon 3, Ben Jones 2, Ben Adams 1
Next week Farnham travel to Lewisham to take on Old Colfeians who are currently mid-table but managed a creditable 23-points-all draw at league flyers Old Reigatians on Saturday. It will be another test on the road for the Farnham boys. KO 2.30pm.
Geoff Bond, known to all as “Bondie”, was a long-time servant of the club and a larger-than-life character who defined it’s ethos of fun and positivity.
Perhaps the emotion of the day got to the 1st team who, despite being determined to put on a show, took their time to get going. As results have shown, any team can upset another on their day no matter their position in the league. As well illustrated by the opening sparring, 10th placed Beckenham had made the trip from Southeast London to play.
On receiving the kick off, Farnham started brightly enough by putting in the phases with the ball zipped left and right by scrum half Ollie Brown who had a very good game. It was Ollie to cause panic in the Beckenham defence with a tap and go penalty that took the Farnham attackers deep into the Beckenham 22. However, the charging Marco Azevedo was isolated, and the referee awarded the penalty for not releasing.
The young referee had made the long trip from Yorkshire on an exchange visit. He was being assessed and so was accurate and even handed throughout – although his rigid interpretation of the laws may have interrupted the flow of the game from time to time.
And so, the first ten minutes comprised of attack met by fast defence and then, after a handful of phases, the game halted by the shrill blast of the whistle for a misdemeanour at the breakdown. On 15 minutes Beckenham cleared deep into the Farnham 22 where, in a repeat from previous games, the home side’s ambition to run the ball out is thwarted by a good chase and strong work over the ball. The penalty in front is taken with alacrity, 0-3.
The game resumed its pattern with neither side gaining clear advantage. On one occasion Beckenham took their penalty by launching a towering up-and-under into the Farnham 22, a tactic rarely seen in the modern game. It was effective in that Farnham knocked on and Beckenham had an attacking scrum in a dangerous position. They won their ball – but it was messy as the Farnham pack – led by the front row of Marco Azevedo, Jules Joris and the evergreen Jemi Akin-0lugbade put the squeeze on. The attack petered out.
On twenty minutes Farnham produced a glimmer of what was to come. They disrupted a Beckenham line out and the forwards broke out. Joris on the charge found the considerable bulk of Harrison Horner who crashed through the tackle and off loaded to Jonny Vincent. Beckenham were on the back foot and Brown released the backs. Jones to Salmon, who with a trademark jink opened the space for Reece Stennett at centre to crash over. The shot at goal is missed. 5-3.
Beckenham hit back almost immediately. A training ground move off the top of their line-out put their flankers on a looping run that split the Farnham defence. The conversion fell short. 5-8 after 30 minutes.
No quarter was shown by either side. First Farnham’s Aldwinkle is off for an HIA and soon after a Beckenham player is laid out unconscious. There was nothing malicious in either injury, just two motivated sides playing fast and furious rugby. Observing the protocol for players who receive a serious head injury, the Beckenham player remained on the pitch until the ambulance duly arrived. As the Vets had just concluded their game, the match was restarted on the second pitch.
Beckenham attacked from the resumption, but a timely interception by winger Sam Thomas turned defence into attack in an instant. Beckenham infringe and Salmon launches the penalty to the Beckenham 22, but the Farnham throw was not straight. Having been put under the cosh at the set piece scrum, Beckenham opt for the line-out so allowing Ben Adams to get up and turn it over. Brown to Salmon who attacked the space at the fringe and off-loaded to the supporting Horner who barrelled over for the try in front. The conversion was good. 12-8 at half time and, judging by the score board, not much in it.
That try was the fillip the Farnham boys needed – and perhaps a word or two from coach Ali Chisholm. Within minutes of the restart, they have a penalty in from of the posts and Salmon makes no mistake. 15-8. Michael Salmon is on at centre for Reece Stennett who picked up a rib injury in the first half. He combined skilfully with brother Toby to break down the left wing, the latter going over for the try out wide which he failed to convert. 20-8.
Back come Beckenham but once again Sam Thomas made a timely interception and Farnham were back on the front foot. An outrageous side-step from second row forward Ben Adams provided the space for his team mates to surge into the Beckenham 22. Again, the attack was halted illegally, and Salmon pinged the ball into the corner. There was a moment’s concern when Beckenham intercepted, but the ball is soon retrieved and after some sharp interplay between backs and forwards, Jonny Vincent bursts over. The try is converted, and Farnham were almost out of sight on 25-8.
Perhaps lulled by the scoreboard, Farnham’s foot came off the gas and Beckenham threatened, but the Farnham D does enough to keep them out. It took a moment of brilliance from skipper Toby Salmon to reignite the game. He intercepted a Beckenham pass on the half-way line and a lung-busting 50 metre dash evaded pursuers and cover defence, he crashed over out wide. The conversion attempt shaved the wrong side of the post, but the scoreboard reads a very agreeable 32-8.
From the restart, No 10 Ben Jones – another player on song on the day – turned the Beckenham back three with a long, raking kick into their 22. The Beckenham winger touched the ball on its way to the line. There was a taste of champagne to this Farnham attack as the ball from the line out fizzed across the back line giving Sam Thomas space to attack. He brought the ball back into midfield where a couple of phases from the forwards allowed Brown to pop the ball up to Jones for his well deserved try. Salmon was accurate from the tee. 39-8.
Another lapse of defensive concentration allowed Beckenham to score a try what was hurriedly converted by a drop goal. 39-15. It would be unjust to call that score a “consolation” as Beckenham never gave an inch for the 80 minutes and their players were all a credit to their club. They were simply outfought and outclassed on the day.
Farnham marched back up the field from the restart and looked set to score again, but the attacking line out went awry, and the ref blew the final whistle.
President’s Podium points: Toby Salmon 3, Ben Jones 2, Ben Adams 1
Next week Farnham travel to Lewisham to take on Old Colfeians who are currently mid-table but managed a creditable 23-points-all draw at league flyers Old Reigatians on Saturday. It will be another test on the road for the Farnham boys. KO 2.30pm.
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