Tottonians heavies take the spoils

Farnham welcomed third placed Tottonians to Monkton Lane last Saturday looking to build on the win against Wimborne. To meet the obvious challenge, Farnham drafted in the experienced Ben Adams and Gabe Hills while Ollie Brown celebrated his 200th appearance for the 1st XV.
Tottonians kicked off with the breeze behind them for the first 40 minutes. They started the game well and dominated possession with their powerful pack and a patient attack. An early penalty in front of the posts allowed them an early lead. 0-3. Farnham responded well and almost immediately. Reece Stennett made great yards to get Farnham in behind. The ball was moved to the other wing where Gabe Hills broke down the right but was held just short. Thereafter Farnham kept Tottonians in their own 22 and won a penalty. They kicked to the corner and had a go at a rolling maul. It was held but the ball was recycled well and Sam Woodhams managed to dive over from close range for Farnham’s first score. The conversion was missed but Farnham led 5-3.
Tottonians hit back almost immediately with a well-executed backs’ play that saw the left winger finish off well in the corner. Conversion missed, 5-8. Farnham were creating chances and Toby Salmon almost scored in the right corner before being bundled into touch. Reece Stennett beat his opposite man on many occasions and was returning to his best after a lengthy injury. The scrum was an even battle with Tom Dullage having a fine game at number 8. However Tottonians certainly had the better at lineout with several steals. A few offloads and passes didn’t quite go to hand but knowing they had the wind in the second half, they went in at half time behind but relatively satisfied.
Harrison Horner and Dan Sweeney were brought on to the pack with Farnham deciding on three forwards on the bench to combat Tottonians’ physical pack. Their patient attack eventually broke down Farnham and they scored within minutes of the second half as the scrum half dotted down to extend their lead. Conversion unsuccessful, 5-13.
Farnham struggled to get into the second period with their attack not as slick as usual. A powerful Tottonians scrum gave the visitors forward momentum and they often chose to move the ball wide. Despite being on the back foot, Toby Salmon intercepted the Tottonian fly half’s pass to run in under posts from 50 meters out and get Farnham back in the game. Conversion successful, 12-13.
The restart was gathered by Ben Jones who kicked long but was hit late by the rushing defence. Jones left the field with a dislocated shoulder but there was no reciprocal loss to Totts. Many who witnessed the incident reckoned a card could have been shown. Jonny Vincent left the pack and joined the backline. Farnham were awarded a penalty where the ball landed and opted to go for the posts. The penalty clipped the post and went over. Farnham now led 15-13.
That lead did not last long with Tottonians awarded a penalty in front of the posts. 15-16. Farnham’s bodies continued to drop with Fin Sloan also dislocating a shoulder and Gabe Hills hobbling around with an injured knee. This meant various players were out of position. Tottonians used that to their advantage to break down the right hand side before offloading to the hooker to score their next try. Conversion successful, 15-23.
Penalties started costing Farnham field position with Tottonians kicking to the corner. The rolling maul was effective and was slowly creeping towards the line but was adjudged to have been stopped illegally and the referee awarded a penalty try and the obligatory yellow card was shown to Jemi Akin-Olugbade. 15-30.
Farnham were starting the tire and did not need to be down to fourteen men. However, they managed the sin bin period well and after Fin Basil won Farnham a penalty, they kicked to the corner. The first rolling maul was stopped however the second was well drilled allowing Jonny Vincent to dive over in the corner. Conversion successful, 22-30.
Farnham’s hope for a result was rekindled. The experienced heads of Ben Adams and Ollie Brown kept the boys going. Farnham continued to make their tackles but were eventually broken down when the Tottonians winger broke through to score his second try of the game. Conversion successful, 22-37. Tottonians broke from the kick off with their loose forwards combining well before being just stopped short of the line. With the Farnham defence in disarray, the Tottonians second row powered over for the game clinching score. Conversion missed, 22-42.
Farnham were now chasing a try bonus point and thought they had it when Dan Sweeney dived over from a rolling maul but was adjudged to be held up. To their credit, Farnham kept going. Harry West found Toby Salmon who stepped through the defence and avoided the cover defence to touch down in the corner. The conversion was missed but Farnham managed to get something out of the game with the four try bonus point. 27-42.
A tough afternoon with Tottonians running out as deserved winners. Farnham again played well in patches but too many mistakes cost them. A great day for Ollie Brown though who led the team out in his 200th game and, surrounded by friends and family, he was at the heart of a superb evening in the clubhouse. The league takes a week off next Saturday for England’s Six Nations clash up at Murrayfield. The next Farnham game is away at Chichester on 2nd March.
Presidents Podium: 3- Toby Salmon, 2- Ben Jones, 1- Reece Stennett