Chichester and Farnham enjoyed fair conditions and a lush pitch for the 3 o’clock kick-off as the Sussex boys commenced proceedings playing away from their clubhouse. Farnham won an early scrum on their 22 and although under pressure took the ball infield. As Farnham drove the ball on at pace, the referee was quick to blow for a penalty as a shoulder charge by the home No.8 came into contact with Jonny Vincent’s head, resulting in a red card just moments into the game. The referee applied the letter of the law but even the vastly experienced Gary Stennett, Farnham’s Director of Rugby, commented that it was a harsh decision so early in the game.

The resulting penalty led to Toby Salmon kicking well into the Chichester half to launch Farnham’s first attack of the game. Several phases of play from the resulting line out saw Farnham claim advantage as they attacked the Chichester 22. The ball was spun wide left, but the speculative loop pass was intercepted by the Chichester centre with a clear pitch in front of him. However, there was a lucky escape as the ref blew for a penalty to Farnham in front of the Chichester posts. Salmon T successfully converted for the first 3 points of the game. 0-3

In the tenth minute, Chichester began to put some of their phases together and a break from their full back took them to the Farnham ten-metre line. Further slick play enabled them to release their winger Miller to score under the posts. The try was converted. 7-3

A second try was quick to follow with Farnham fly-half Ben Jones kicking just too long resulting in a Chichester line out on the Farnham 10-yard line. Quick ball off the top enabled the home side’s fly-half to break and then feed on to the full back, coming on at pace, to score under the posts. 14-3

In the sixteenth minute, Farnham were awarded another penalty and again kicked to the left-hand touch line metres short of the Chichester try line. Farnham caught and drove with Finn Anderson bulldozing over from 3 yards out to score. The conversion was missed. 14-8

The game continued at pace flowing back and forth from the half-way line. Around the 20-minute mark, Farnham was awarded a flurry of penalties which were all kicked to touch. Unfortunately small mistakes allowed the first two penalties to remain “pointless” and Chichester cleared their line. On the third penalty induced line-out, Farnham caught and drove Chichester back. Scrum half Harry West fed the ball to Farnham second rower Fin Anderson moving into space on the left-hand side. He ran in to score. Conversion failed, 14-13

Back came Chichester from the kick-off with their backs producing some sharp play. Taking the ball over the halfway line, the home full back beat Farnham’s defence and offloaded in the tackle to their prop. He appeared to shock the home crowd by pacing up the field. He then neatly offloaded back to the full-back who fed the winger in support. He touched down and the score moved to 19-13.

With halftime approaching, Farnham again found themselves with a line-out short of the home five-yard line following a penalty well placed by Toby Salmon. An efficient catch and drive trundled Farnham forward but the maul was pulled down illegally by the back peddling defenders and the ref had no option but to award the penalty try. 19-20

A yellow card took Chichester down to 13 men for the ten minutes either side of half time. Nevertheless, Chichester battled gamely and their final act of the half was a failed attempt at a penalty.

Farnham were first to score in the second half after a flowing move saw wing Alex Chalker freeing up Ben jones, who slid over on the right wing to score. Salmon T successfully converted, extending Farnham’s lead. 19-27

Chichester back to 14 men began to play some of their best and most entertaining rugby. Farnham’s defence held strong - a feature of the season thus far - until Chichester ball was spun wide from a ruck to the Chichester number 9 who scored in the left-hand corner. 24-27

Farnham immediately put pressure back on Chichester. They found themselves in a familiar position after another penalty with a line out 15 metres from the Chichester line. Yet again the catch and drive was efficient and the ball spun out to the backs. While the defence has been solid, speculative loop passes have cost Farnham and for the second time in the match the interception allowed the Chichester full-back to sprint 70 metres to score. There was no ref’s whistle to save Farnham this time. 31-27

As the game entered the final quarter, it was Chichester’s turn to push a penalty deep into the Farnham half. At the ensuing line out, they threw a quick ball to the front and fed their second row on the charge down the five-metre channel to score in the corner. 36-27.

With 15 minutes left, Chichester was unfortunate to again be reduced to 13 men after the ref noticed a no-arms tackle. The impetus switched to the visitors and Farnham were soon attacking the Chichester try line and so nearly scoring - but the ball was deemed to be held up by the referee. From the ensuing goal line drop out for, Farnham returned the ball to midfield 20 yards out from where the ball was quickly spun right to Tim Salmon who ran in 15 yards to score. 36-32

Farnham went for the win and applied further pressure well inside the Chichester half. Yet another penalty against Chichester allowed Farnham to set up a line out five metres from the line. With the catch and drive the forwards were able to take the ball over to score. Prop Sam Woodhams emerged from the pile up to claim the try. Toby Salmon was certain with the extras. 36-39.

To the Farnham faithful, the extra time provided by the referee seemed endless. Eventually, Farnham were awarded a scrum penalty from which Toby Salmon was able to clear to touch. At last, the whistle was blown to announce the end of a bustling, hectic, well-contested game.

Podium

3 points. Fin Anderson
2. Tim Salmon
1. Sam Woodhams