Another narrow loss

On Saturday 9th Sept, Farnham welcomed Winchester to Monkton Lane for their first home game of the season. Winchester had kickstarted their season with an convincing win while Farnham looked to bounce back after a narrow loss. It was a scorching day with temperatures hitting over 30 degrees making for a tough and exhausting game for all.
Three debutants took to the field for Farnham. Number 8 Josh Watson had an excellent game as Farnham's best defender. Farnham academy graduate Ted Bailey started at scrum half and brought great energy to the game as did Dan Sullivan on the wing.
Farnham opened the game with some style. Almost from the kick off, Jonny Vincent broke through the Winchester defence, drew the full back and popped to Toby Salmon who galloped in under posts. 7-0 Farnham and the perfect start.
Winchester came back strong and used their powerful pack to make significant inroads. The first of many penalties given up by Farnham in the first half allowed Winchester to narrow the gap to 7-3. Winchester now dominated possession and a break down the wing put them into Farnham’s 22. Their captain, who had a very strong game at number 8, broke through the Farnham defence to score under the posts. 7-10.
Winchester kept applying the pressure. A rolling maul moved infield and from the base, the Winchester 9 spotted an unguarded blindside to score his team’s second try. 7-17. Farnham’s ill-discipline repeatedly cost them field position. The penalty following Dan Sullivan’s yellow card for a high tackle allowed Winchester to extend their lead. 7-20.
Farnham managed to keep Winchester out for the final 10 minutes of the half, but were eventually broken down by a driving maul to the corner. Conversion missed, 7-25. Farnham had a lot of work to do in the second period and needed to respond.
This they did. Early in the second half backs Callum Jones, Reece Stennett and Max Williams linked up well to make good yards into the Winchester half. The Farnham forwards began to get their hands on the ball and good carries from Dullage, Cleeve and Jonny Vincent kept the momentum going. A turnover from a Winchester lineout put Farnham 10 metres out and slick hands put Dan Sullivan in to score his first Farnham try. The conversion hit the post. 12-25.
Farnham were now playing in the right areas and Winchester, under pressure, began to make some mistakes and gaps appeared in the defence. Toby Salmon sliced through, stopped short and offloaded to Tom Dullage who powered over under the posts. Salmon hobbled off with cramp leaving Callum Jones to slot the conversation 19-25. Nathan Phillimore came onto the wing with Callum Jones slotting into 10 and Farnham were back in the game.
However, a poor exit from the restart and Farnham coughed up the penalty from which Winchester kicked to the corner and drove over from the line out. Successful conversion, 19-32 and the two-score difference was restored with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Salmon came back on to replace Ted Bailey who had a great debut. Farnham then fought their way into the Winchester 22, kept hold of the ball well and edged ever closer to the line. After a series of crashing carries from Dullage and Horner, Harry Arkley managed to bustle over from close range to score his first Farnham try. Conversion successful from out wide to make the score 26-32.
Winchester gave up a penalty from the restart and Farnham went for broke with a line out deep in opposition territory. However, a turnover allowed Winchester to hold out for the win.
Two more league points for Farnham but another narrow and frustrating loss. However, this young side shows great promise, and it is only a matter of time before the winning habit returns. The black and whites make the trip to Newbury next Saturday.
President’s Podium: Josh Watson 3, Tom Dullage 2, Toby Salmon 1