Farnham welcomed Winchester to Monkton lane for Saturday afternoons fixture. Both teams came into the fixture with a 100% record and have always had tightly contested games in the past and this game was very similar. Farnham handed a debut to academy graduate Oskar Parker at hooker and brought in Sam Thomas at 15. Farnham kicked off with the breeze behind them and looked to start the game well. Winchester made their intentions clear early on, to kick off 9 and to use their powerful pack in the close quarters. They scored the first try of the game when their 13 broke through a gap in the Farnham defence and drew the last man to put in the 15 under the posts. Conversion successful, 0-7.. It was a double blow for Farnham with Toby Simmons pulling a hamstring and Ollie Brown replacing him with Sam Cowman now on the wing. Farnham managed to get on the scoreboard minutes later with a long range penalty and Salmon kicked another shortly afterwards to reduce the score to 6-7.

It was proving to be a tense battle with little chances being offered. Winchester extended their lead when a breakdown infringement went against Farnham and the Winchester kicking dissected the posts. 6-10. However Farnham responded with a penalty of their own shortly afterwards to make in 9-10. The Farnham defence was looking solid with big hitter Josh Watson putting in some thunderous tackles. Sam Voight and Oscar Henderson made good inroads with some direct carries and the front row of Pickett, Parker and Franzel had the edge at the scrum. Another penalty on the 22 gave Farnham a chance to extend their lead and Salmon made it 12-10. A quick succession of penalties meant the Winchester hooker was shown a yellow card and Salmon kicked 2 further penalties to make the score, 18-10. Winchester were camped on the Farnham line for the last 5 minutes however the defence was strong and Farnham managed to clear their lines which brought half time. 18-10.

Farnham had to empty their bench with Marcus-Lambert Parsons on for Sam Voight who picked up a head knock. Fin Sloan then had to be withdrawn with a broken wrist so Marco Azevedo came on with Oscar Henderson moving into the centres. Winchester now with the breeze behind them, pinned Farnham back with a series of kicks and were awarded a penalty 25 meters out, which they kicked for goal to reduce the score to 18-13. Farnham tried to build some pressure and were finding great joy down the left hand side with Max Williams making a series of mini breaks. Farnham crept closer to the Winchester line and kept it tight for a several phases before the ball was popped to Oscar Henderson who powered over from close range for Farnham’s first try. Conversion successful, 25-13. Good patience was shown however the game was still in the balance.

Winchester began to play more expansive as they needed to score next. Turnover ball gave them an opportunity and they looked to move the ball wide. The ball appeared to be knocked on with the majority of players stopping however the Winchester centre pounced on the ball with the referee waving play on. The centre broke the line and despite him being stopped short, the ball recycled with the right winger scoring in the corner. The conversion was missed but the score was now 25-18. Farnham needed to kill the game and they had their chances. Another Max Williams break and then a chip over the top looked to be destined for Sam Thomas to touch down however the covering defence go their first. Farnham were camped on the Winchester line but coughed up possession and relieved pressure.

The minutes ticked on and Farnham had the ball with less than a minute to go. However a penalty at the breakdown gave Winchester one last chance to kick to the corner and perhaps snatch a draw. They tried to use their rolling maul that was initially stopped short however the ball was moved left and the Winchester winger finished well in the corner. The pressure was all on the kicker who held his nerve and slotted the touchline conversion to make the final score 25-25.

A gutting result for Farnham that felt like a defeat as they had control for most of the game but just couldn’t kill it off when they needed to. An away trip to Newbury awaits next week with Farnham looking to maintain their unbeaten record.

Presidents podium:

3- Josh Watson
2- Max Williams
1- Toby Salmon