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Sat 06 Apr 2024 · Regional 2 South Central
1st XVLondon Irish Wild Geese
31
33
Close again at the close.
Mark Weeks8 Apr - 11:31
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And yet more bonus points!
Farnham welcomed London Irish Wild Geese to Monkton Lane for the final round of the 2023/24 League season. Off the pitch, there is a strong, historical bond between the clubs yet a fierce rivalry upon it. London Irish were fifth in the league and Farnham but two places behind. Both teams looked to finish their seasons on a high. The hundred supporters who enjoyed the pre-match lunch were joined on a packed balcony by more of the Faithful and a strong contingent of Irish. They anticipated a cracking game of rugby and were not disappointed.
Farnham handed a debut to 17-year-old Academy fly half Rufus Doran as well as winger Alex Wennen. (Some 55 players have pulled on the Black and White 1st XV shirt this season.)
Farnham kicked off playing into a strong wind. As it transpired, this did not to have the usual impact of favouring the team with the wind at its back. With kicking difficult, Farnham ran the ball with determination with Jonny Vincent making the initial break to get Farnham going.
Powerful and experienced forwards Josh Watson and Ben Adams carried hard while the youthful Fin Basil and Jack Bemelmans provided the energy. The latter broke through the midfield to put Farnham within touching distance. The Irish defence held so Farnham needed to be patient for their chance. The ball was recycled to Rufus Doran who cunningly duped the Wild Geese defenders. While making to pass wide, he merely popped the ball to Callum Jones who ran a great line to dot down between the posts. Conversion successful, 7-0.
Farnham’s expansive game plan was good to watch. Ben Adams was the next forward to breakthrough after a sumptuous flat pass from Doran. The ball was offloaded to Callum Jones who then moved it onto Alex Wellen. He was just brought down just short of the line. The ball was recycled quickly and veteran Jemi Akin-Olugbade was on hand to dive over for Farnham’s second try. Conversion successful, 14-0.
The scrum was fairly even, but the wind made the lineout a bit of a lottery for both teams. An attacking scrum gave Wild Geese a good opportunity and a well worked backs move saw them break through and score their first try. Conversion successful, 14-7. Farnham responded almost immediately with well worked phases getting them into the 22 where Harry West found Sam Woodhams lurking out wide. He stormed over for Farnham’s third score. Conversion successful, 21-7.
A series of penalties in quick succession had the referee put Farnham on a warning and Fin Basil was the unlucky recipient of a yellow card for a technical misdemeanour at the breakdown. Despite Wild Geese throwing everything at Farnham’s fourteen, the home side held out and went in at half time with a 21-7 lead.
Wild Geese came out firing for the second half! Farnham still with only 14 men, switched off defensively and a Wild Geese winger managed to break away and score in the corner. Conversion missed, 21-12. The Wild Geese bench made an impact. Their scrum was now dominant allowing them to power over from a five-meter scrum to narrow the gap. Conversion successful, 21-19.
Farnham, now back to 15 men, looked to get their hands on the ball and get into the half. However, minutes later, Farnham was reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game when Josh Watson tackled too high. The head-to-head contact gave the referee no option and Watson was dismissed from the field with 25 minutes to go.
This setback seemed to galvanise Farnham who began to gain both possession and ground. The ball was moved wide where Toby Salmon was confronted by forwards past whom he readily sprinted and on under the posts for Farnham’s bonus point try. Conversion successful, 28-19.
A penalty minutes later gave Farnham a chance to extend their lead with Toby Salmon taking the three points to make the score, 31-19. Farnham had their chances to secure the game with a penalty kick missed and a break by Max Williams unfinished as the inside ball failed to go to hand. Another yellow card, this time for Jonny Vincent, reduced Farnham to 13 men for the remainder of the game. At one time, Farnham had a player down injured and found themselves defending with just twelve men. But the Wild Geese kept coming and eventually broke down the Farnham “D” to score their fourth try. Conversion successful with the score now 31-26 with three minutes to go.
The Farnham players valiantly made up for the lack of players on the pitch but were starting to run on empty. The Wild Geese winger broke out but was hauled down by the scramble defence ten meters out. A knock on at the ensuing breakdown gave the Irish a scrum in a dangerous position. The attacking scrum was held. However, the scrum-half broke away to go in under the posts for the match winning score. The conversion was successful and after the formality of a restart, the ball was hoofed off the park by a joyful Wild Geese side. Final score 31-33.
Presidents Podium voted for by the players: 3 Jack Bemelmans, 2 Ben Adams, 1 Toby Salmon.
This was a gut-wrenching loss for Farnham who gave it their all. However, the result was in keeping the team’s “almost” accomplishments of the season. A seventh-place finish is a fair reflection of its performance. With 25 bonus points earned, including nine losing bonus points, it was never out of touch in this league. Many young, homegrown talent have performed brilliantly over the season and the club looks forward to improving its league position in the future as the club conveyor belt continues to produce.
Next Saturday, Farnham launches its end-of-season, knock-out rugby campaign by welcoming Chobham to Monkton Lane for the opening round of the Papa John Cup. KO 3.00pm.
Farnham handed a debut to 17-year-old Academy fly half Rufus Doran as well as winger Alex Wennen. (Some 55 players have pulled on the Black and White 1st XV shirt this season.)
Farnham kicked off playing into a strong wind. As it transpired, this did not to have the usual impact of favouring the team with the wind at its back. With kicking difficult, Farnham ran the ball with determination with Jonny Vincent making the initial break to get Farnham going.
Powerful and experienced forwards Josh Watson and Ben Adams carried hard while the youthful Fin Basil and Jack Bemelmans provided the energy. The latter broke through the midfield to put Farnham within touching distance. The Irish defence held so Farnham needed to be patient for their chance. The ball was recycled to Rufus Doran who cunningly duped the Wild Geese defenders. While making to pass wide, he merely popped the ball to Callum Jones who ran a great line to dot down between the posts. Conversion successful, 7-0.
Farnham’s expansive game plan was good to watch. Ben Adams was the next forward to breakthrough after a sumptuous flat pass from Doran. The ball was offloaded to Callum Jones who then moved it onto Alex Wellen. He was just brought down just short of the line. The ball was recycled quickly and veteran Jemi Akin-Olugbade was on hand to dive over for Farnham’s second try. Conversion successful, 14-0.
The scrum was fairly even, but the wind made the lineout a bit of a lottery for both teams. An attacking scrum gave Wild Geese a good opportunity and a well worked backs move saw them break through and score their first try. Conversion successful, 14-7. Farnham responded almost immediately with well worked phases getting them into the 22 where Harry West found Sam Woodhams lurking out wide. He stormed over for Farnham’s third score. Conversion successful, 21-7.
A series of penalties in quick succession had the referee put Farnham on a warning and Fin Basil was the unlucky recipient of a yellow card for a technical misdemeanour at the breakdown. Despite Wild Geese throwing everything at Farnham’s fourteen, the home side held out and went in at half time with a 21-7 lead.
Wild Geese came out firing for the second half! Farnham still with only 14 men, switched off defensively and a Wild Geese winger managed to break away and score in the corner. Conversion missed, 21-12. The Wild Geese bench made an impact. Their scrum was now dominant allowing them to power over from a five-meter scrum to narrow the gap. Conversion successful, 21-19.
Farnham, now back to 15 men, looked to get their hands on the ball and get into the half. However, minutes later, Farnham was reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game when Josh Watson tackled too high. The head-to-head contact gave the referee no option and Watson was dismissed from the field with 25 minutes to go.
This setback seemed to galvanise Farnham who began to gain both possession and ground. The ball was moved wide where Toby Salmon was confronted by forwards past whom he readily sprinted and on under the posts for Farnham’s bonus point try. Conversion successful, 28-19.
A penalty minutes later gave Farnham a chance to extend their lead with Toby Salmon taking the three points to make the score, 31-19. Farnham had their chances to secure the game with a penalty kick missed and a break by Max Williams unfinished as the inside ball failed to go to hand. Another yellow card, this time for Jonny Vincent, reduced Farnham to 13 men for the remainder of the game. At one time, Farnham had a player down injured and found themselves defending with just twelve men. But the Wild Geese kept coming and eventually broke down the Farnham “D” to score their fourth try. Conversion successful with the score now 31-26 with three minutes to go.
The Farnham players valiantly made up for the lack of players on the pitch but were starting to run on empty. The Wild Geese winger broke out but was hauled down by the scramble defence ten meters out. A knock on at the ensuing breakdown gave the Irish a scrum in a dangerous position. The attacking scrum was held. However, the scrum-half broke away to go in under the posts for the match winning score. The conversion was successful and after the formality of a restart, the ball was hoofed off the park by a joyful Wild Geese side. Final score 31-33.
Presidents Podium voted for by the players: 3 Jack Bemelmans, 2 Ben Adams, 1 Toby Salmon.
This was a gut-wrenching loss for Farnham who gave it their all. However, the result was in keeping the team’s “almost” accomplishments of the season. A seventh-place finish is a fair reflection of its performance. With 25 bonus points earned, including nine losing bonus points, it was never out of touch in this league. Many young, homegrown talent have performed brilliantly over the season and the club looks forward to improving its league position in the future as the club conveyor belt continues to produce.
Next Saturday, Farnham launches its end-of-season, knock-out rugby campaign by welcoming Chobham to Monkton Lane for the opening round of the Papa John Cup. KO 3.00pm.
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