Farnham take the win in mid table clash

Farnham welcomed Wimborne to Monkton Lane for a mid-table clash. Farnham looked to bounce back after last week’s poor showing at Reading whilst Wimborne came into this game confident after beating league high-flyers Tottonians.

Wimborne kicked off with the breeze behind them. Farnham got off to their traditional fast start at home. A half-break from the returning Jonny Vincent put Farnham on the front foot. He offloaded to Toby Salmon in support who stepped his way through the Wimborne defence to get Farnham into the 22. Unfortunately the final pass was knocked on. Nevertheless, Farnham were on the front foot and showed their threat in attack.

Wimborne fielded a strong, physical pack and an impressive ball-carrying inside centre who repeatedly got his team over the gain-line. After ten minutes the match was scoreless. Then Fin Sloan charged down a Wimborne clearing kick. The ball was scooped up by Toby Salmon who offloaded to Toby Simmons who went over wide. Conversion missed but Farnham lead 5-0. Farnham’s attack was looking dangerous and a penalty inside the Wimborne half allowed a kick to the corner and rolling maul attack. George Haylett, in at hooker, threw well all day with Oscar Henderson controlling proceedings in the air. The maul was stopped short five metres out but the ball was recycled to Ollie Brown who found Ben Jones who popped the ball inside for Jonny Vincent to dot down. Conversion successful 12-0.
Wimborne managed to build some phases however Farnham’s defence stood strong with Josh Watson and Marco Azevedo leading the line. Eventually Wimborne did find space down the right hand side with slick inter play seeing their winger dot down in the corner. Conversion missed, 12-5.

The scrum was an even battle for most of the game with Farnham holding their own. A set piece move produced a break down the right wing by Max Williams who got Farnham in behind and with the ball quickly recycled, Marcus Lambert-Parsons charged onto the ball and, breaking multiple tackles, scored under the posts. Conversion successful, 19-5. Farnham managed the remaining minutes well and went into the half time break fairly satisfied with their work.
Farnham kicked off the second half looking to maintain their momentum. Harrison Horner came on into the row to add his usual powerful carrying. A poor clearing kick from Wimborne found Max Williams who moved it infield to Ben Jones. He took on the chasing defenders and beat 3 men before offloading to the charging Oscar Henderson who dived in under the posts for Farnham’s bonus point try. Conversion successful, 26-5.
Wimborne provided an immediate response through a very good individual try from their rumbustious 12 who beat three defenders to go over in the corner. Conversion missed, 26-10.
Midway through the second half, the momentum shifted in Wimborne’s favour. Farnham could not managing to keep hold of the ball and were having to make a lot of tackles. The home side’s defence was eventually broken with defenders squeezed tight keep out the pick and drive and then a long ball over the top allowed a simple run it for the try scored in the corner. Conversion missed, 26-15.
Farnham were yet again guilty of a mounting penalty count when under pressure and this cost them field position. A series of close carries got Wimborne close to Farnham’s line giving the inside centre the opportunity to once again power over to secure a bonus point try. Conversion missed again but the score now 26-20 with 10 minutes to play.

Farnham responded with an easy 3 penalty points moments later to make the score 29-20 and give themselves some breathing room. However, Wimborne refused to lie down and with two minutes left on the clock, their 10 snaked through a gap to score under the posts. Conversion successful, 29-27. From the restart, Farnham kicked long and pinned Wimborne in their own 22 and managed to draw a penalty in the right hand corner. With a minute left to play, Toby Salmon opted for the posts and used up all his time before slotting the kick through the posts. The full-time whistle followed with the final score 32-27.

A great battle and a thoroughly deserved 5 points for Farnham who scored some very good tries. Credit to Wimborne who never backed down and left with two league points of their own.

A week off next week before Farnham welcome Tottonians on the 17th Feb .

Presidents Podium: 3-Toby Salmon, 2-Oscar Henderson, 1- Ben Jones