League leaders run close

Report by Toby Salmon, tweaked by BW,
Farnham welcomed Jersey to Monkton Lane for their inaugural league encounter on another lovely sunny afternoon. Farnham had high hopes after their emphatic win over Newbury last week. Jersey made the trip over with maximum points so far from their three games and sat top of the table. Marcus Lambert-Parsons was handed his Farnham 1st XV debut in the second row while Dan Sweeney, another Academy graduate awaited his on the bench. All was set for a classic encounter, and, but for the procession of Farnham players to the sin bin, the game lived up to expectations.
Farnham had the breeze behind them for the first half and looked to continue this season’s fast starts. However, it was Jersey who started the better using their heavy forwards to good effect. Farnham repelled this initial Jersey charge and got their attack going with some good carries. Ben Jones, who was celebrating his 100th 1XV game, controlled the game from fly half and used the powerful Fin Anderson at centre on many occasions.
The first real chance came when Jersey broke down the right wing with the offload back inside not going to hand. The referee put this down to a deliberate knock on by scrum half Ollie Brown who then spent 10 minutes in the bin. At the penalty, Jersey opted for the scrum and powered over for the first score of the match with No 8 George Willmott dotting down and flyhalf Aaron Penberthy accurate from the tee. 0-7.
A man down, Farnham had to be smart and play out the time. A break-out from Toby Salmon got Farnham into Jersey’s 22 before Reece Stennett was stopped 5 meters out. The Jersey defence held Farnham out but a simple penalty in front of the posts allowed Farnham to cut the deficit. 3-7.
The Black and White attack started to flow with backs Max Williams and Sam Thomas making good line breaks. This was mixed in with strong carries in midfield from Matt Kouris and Jonny Vincent as the Jersey defence started to rattle. With no scrum half on the pitch, Jonny Vincent picked from the base and found Jemi Akin Olugbade charging onto the ball to slice through the defence and dot down for Farnham’s first try. Conversion successful and Farnham led 10-7.
Back to fifteen men, Farnham started to gain control of the game. However, it didn’t stay this way for long as Josh Watson was given 10 minutes for pulling down a maul close to the try line. A few minutes later, Marcus Lambert-Parsons was also given 10 minutes for what was deemed a cynical penalty. Farnham were now down to thirteen on the pitch.
However, Jersey could not take advantage due to the home sides well drilled and resolute defence. Back to 14 men, Farnham extended their lead to 13-7 with a penalty kick just outside the 22. Farnham then claimed the restart and broke down the left flank with Sam Thomas beating two defenders before being hauled down just before the 22. It was then Jersey’s turn to receive a yellow card for repeat offences. Farnham kicked to the corner and set up a rolling maul. This was halted 10 meters short but Ollie Brown found a rampaging Fin Anderson who smashed through the defence to score his first try of the season. Conversation successful and Farnham had a good lead. 20-7.
Farnham were eager to hold out until half time but a good strike play from Jersey saw Tom Bulfin at centre crash through and score under the posts. Conversion successful but still Farnham had their noses in front at half time, 20-14.
With both teams back to the full fifteen, Farnham started the second half well. A well-worked lineout move saw Sam Thomas break the line before offloading to Reece Stennett who slide into the corner. Conversion unsuccessful, 25-14. Jersey struck back with a strong set piece move that saw winger Jack Keogh break the line and offload to the centre to score in the corner. Jersey’s Penberthy had kicked well all day and nailed the touchline conversion to narrow the score to 25-21.
Once again, Farnham didn’t help themselves as Reece Stennett got his timing wrong chasing a kick. He took the catcher out in the air and was sent to the bin for 10 minutes.
Jersey were on the up and continued to make inroads through their loose forwards. A series of phases and a chip in behind saw the Penberthy dot down then convert his own try. 25-28. Farnham now struggled to get hold of the ball. With most of the game played with one or two men missing, exhaustion set in.
Reece Stennett returned to the pitch and Mike Mizzi came on for Toby Comley. Nathan Phillimore - who was a last-minute addition after Callum Jones had broken his nose in the warm-up - came on for Fin Anderson.
Jersey kicked well out of hand to pin Farnham back and pounced on any mistakes. They slowly crept towards the line until the ball was spun wide for Jersey’s Willmott to dot down in the corner for his second. Another successful kick took the score to 25-35. Farnham academy graduate Dan Sweeney replaced Akin-Olugbade for his first XV debut.
The Black and Whites play with pride and determination and finally managed to get hold of the ball. Another well worked lineout allowed Reece Stennett to break through before being dragged just short of the line. A series of tight carries crept Farnham closer before Dan Sweeney dove for the line for a try on debut. There was one score in it with six minutes left to play. 30-35.
The ever-accurate Penberthy put the game out of sight with a 50-meter penalty to take it to 30-38 with two minutes left. However, Farnham were awarded a penalty 25 meters out on the final play and, determined to secure the loosing bonus point, Salmon stepped up to drill it through the posts. Final score 33-38 and two league points secured.
Thus ended a sprinted display from Farnham against a strong Jersey side. They doubtless felt gutted that but for their ill-discipline the result could have gone the other way. Next Saturday, the boys make the trip to Oxfordshire to face Witney RFC for a mid-table clash before the first rest weekend. Whatever the result on that day, Farnham can be satisfied with their opening salvo of the season having run the top two teams close in high scoring games and thumping the well-fancied Newbury – all the while giving debuts to a raft of young players up from the Academy. Next step is to get some more ticks in the “W” column.
Presidents Podium: Finn Anderson- 3, Matt Kouris- 2, Ben Jones- 1
Note, the name “President’s Podium” is retained for historical reasons, although the points are now awarded by the players themselves.