Farnham travelled to North Dorset for their rearranged fixture, looking to build off last weeks performance against Wimborne. A couple of changes in the Farnham pack saw Ollie Banks Thompson start and Greg Franzel move into hooker. George Bellamy started in the 2nd row and Fin Sloan returned in the centres. Farnham kicked off with a stiff breeze across the pitch but it was North Dorset who started the game strongest. Their powerful pack made early inroads which sucked in the Farnham defence and they moved the ball wide to the right hand side. They drew the covering defence well with their 15 running under the posts for the first try. Conversion successful, 7-0 after 2 minutes. Farnham knew they had to respond and once they got their hands on the ball, they looked dangerous. A penalty was awarded in midfield and the quick thinking Ollie Brown took it quickly and drew the fullback who deliberately stuck an arm out, resulting in a yellow card. Farnham made the extra man count with a well expected quick tap move seeing Jack Haylett run in untouched under the posts. Conversion successful, 7-7.

North Dorset continued to use their sizeable forwards and made inroads in the Farnham defence. A penalty allowed them to kick to the corner and they used their rolling maul to great effect to touch down for their 2nd try. Conversion successful, 14-7. Once Farnham got their hands on the ball, they looked threatening but a split ball or loose pass stopped them threatening. On the half hour mark, Farnham managed to string some phases together. Fin Sloan fizzed a miss pass to Joe Wigmore who broke down the left hand side with the speedy winger easily beating the full back to run in under the posts for Farnham’s 2nd try. Conversion successful, 14-14. North Dorset finished the half, back in the ascendency and continued to drive Farnham back. Despite being held up a couple of times, their gigantic 2nd row managed to power over for a try on half time. Conversion successful, the half time score 21-14.

Some stern words were delivered at half time with Farnham far from their best. However the next 15 minutes, Farnham showed why they were top of the league. They pinned the home side in their own half before winning a penalty and kicking to the corner. Despite their initial siege being held up, they continued to pound the line and eventually broke the hosts down with Shawa Rai diving over for the score. Conversion successful, 21-21. Farnham had their swag back and struck again minutes later when a well executed line out move saw Ollie Brown find Joe Wigmore in space and the winger again beat several defenders and dived over for his 2nd score and Farnham’s bonus point. Conversion successful, 21-28.

Farnham were having all the possession with Harrison Horner and Oscar Henderson now putting their stamp on the game. A stolen lineout gave Farnham their next opportunity and the ball was moved wide to Ben Stevens who broke round the outside and into the 22. The ball was well recycled and was moved side to side before Fin Sloan found Oscar Henderson on the wing who dotted down for his 14th try of the season. Conversion successful, 21-35. The home side though fought back and won a penalty shortly after the restart and kicked to the corner. A well executed line out move of their own saw them break down the left however a brilliant try saving tackle from Shawa Rai stopped a certain score. However North Dorset won the ball back and kept it tight before their scrum half dotted down for their bonus point score. Conversion successful, 28-35.

The game was certainly not over and Farnham had to keep their heads in this important moment. North Dorset turned the ball over and looked to be in a great attacking position to threat Farnham again. They moved the ball wide however Reece Stennett as always read the pass perfectly and intercepted to race in from 50 meters for a crucial score. Conversion successful, 28-42. Farnham continued to dominate 2nd half possession and found the game clinching score when Harrison Horner sucked in the defence and tipped to an onrushing Shawa Rai who bursted into the 22 and composed himself before passing to Fin Sloan who dived over under the posts. Conversion successful, 28-49.

The remainder of the game petted out and the final whistle was blown to signal the end of an entertaining game. A strong 2nd half performance keeps Farnham top of the league and 6 points clear with 4 games to go. Andover away awaits Farnham next week.

Presidents podium:
3- Joe Wigmore
2- Shawa Rai
1- George Bellamy