Farnham turn the tables on Witney

The question asked by the Faithful was, “Would the team that made such a monumental effort last week in Jersey overcome a Witney side who got the better of them earlier in the season and sit higher in the league?” The answer came after a mighty tussle sandwiched by match winning scores from the Black and Whites.

Farnham welcomed Witney to Monkton Lane on a calm afternoon and, given the great work in trying conditions by groundsman Steve Tomlinson, a good surface for rugby. Farnham kicked off the game and once again started well. After the inevitable exchange of clearance kicks was won by the returning Jack Scullion’s long-range boot, Toby Simmons made good yards down the left before the ball was recycled to Ben Jones. He found Fin Sloan who burst through the tackle before stepping the full back to dot down for Farnham’s first try. Conversion missed but 5-0 after just three minutes play.

Farnham continued to use Scullion’s boot to pin Witney back in their half. Witney fielded a big, aggressive pack that used their scrum and maul to get momentum. Their first set play attack produced a sharp move between Rob Coe at 8 and Keir MacDougall at scrum half to pierce Farnham’s blind side defence. MacDougal found winger Callum Godfrey on hand to dive into the corner. Conversion was successful to give Witney the lead. 7-5.

Farnham continued to move the ball in attack with Josh Watson and Marco Azevedo making good inroads. However, some inaccurate passing stalled the try scoring opportunities. Nevertheless, Witney were caught offside in front of the posts and Toby Salmon took the three points on offer to take a narrow lead, 8-7.

Despite not being 100% accurate, Farnham created plenty of opportunities. A midfield scrum on the Witney 22 was their next. The backs’ move didn’t quite go to plan, however Callum Jones dived on the loose ball before offloading from the floor to Toby Salmon who shrugged off one defender and stepped inside the last man to score Farnham’s second try. Conversion successful, 15-7.

Witney came back hard their powerful forwards testing the Farnham defence. A breakaway would have seen them narrow the gap had it not been for the heroic efforts of Farnham’s scramble defence. The halftime whistle sounded with Farnham retaining their 15-7 lead.

Farnham started the second half well. Witney conceded a couple of penalties that allowed Farnham to kick for the corner and get their rolling maul going. Matt Kouris was back in the side and his throw ins were on point all afternoon. Harrison Horner powered close to the line before Witney illegally halted any more progress. Salmon took the three penalty points on offer and Farnham extended their lead 18-7.
The game now became a fiercely physical battle with neither defence giving an inch. Farnham’s next chance came when a dropped Witney pass was hacked on by Toby Salmon with the tryline begging. However the odd shaped ball did not reward Salmon’s footballing skills and scuttled over the dead ball line.

Josh Watson was given 10 minutes in the bin for an off the ball incident. With the man advantage, Witney kicked for the corner and despite being initially halted, they powered over for their second try. Conversion successful, 18-14. Witney’s blood was up, and they sensed a last-minute turnover such as that which won them the home fixture. Meanwhile, Farnham had to control the next ten minutes a man down. This they did successfully by, amongst other things, bringing on fresh legs. Chris Duringer came on in the centres to replace Fin Sloan. Raoul Larkins came on in the front row with Jack Buxton – both on their 1st XV debut.

The game ebbed and flowed. Farnham had their chances. Witney had an attacking lineout in Farnham’s 22 but this time the maul was halted forcing them to go to the backs. The ball was lost forward and kicked ahead by Ben Jones and regathered by Toby Salmon. Farnham were now threatening in Witney’s 22 but the pass from the breakdown was knocked on. With a couple of minutes left, Witney cleared their lines and earned an attacking lineout on the halfway. However, a leaping Jack Buxton stole the ball and Ollie Brown broke away to release the pressure. The ball was released to Ben Jones who found Toby Salmon. He dummied his opposite man and broke through the line. He passed to Callum Jones who headed for the corner but was stopped short. However, Jack Scullion had followed up and was on Jones’ shoulder to take the offload and finish off the try in the corner. Salmon completed a good afternoon with the boot by converting from wide out and the full-time whistle blew. 25-14.

Farnham now enjoy a “rest weekend” – no bad thing given the weather forecast - before an away trip to basement side Reading on 27th January.

Presidents Podium voted by the players, Ollie Brown 3, Matt Kouris 2, Marcus Lambert-Parsons 1.