Farnham travelled down to Tottonians in a huge game and one that could decide Farnham’s season. Farnham selected a familiar pack with Jack Bemelmans returning to the team for the first time since November and great to see him back. The backline had Max Williams at 12 with captain Toby Salmon filling the vacant 15 jersey. Farnham elected to play into the wind first half and received the kickoff.

Farnham wanted to start fast and certainly did so when a strong attacking scrum gave them good field position. The fluent Farnham attack was being well controlled by half backs Harry West and Ollie Brown with a penalty giving Farnham a chance to kick to the corner. The maul was set up well with Farnham charging towards the line. Harrison Horner was held meters short but Jonny Vincent was quick to pick and go to dot down for the first try of the game. Conversion successful and Farnham had a dream start, 0-7. Farnham were certainly the better of the 2 teams with their defence stopping everything Totts threw at them. A well executed lineout move saw Toby Salmon break down the right win before offloading to Joe Brockman who was brought down just outside the 22. The ball was kept and moved to the other side where Max Williams found Joe Wigmore with a beautiful delayed pass and the lethal winger was always going to beat the cover defence to finish off a brilliant score. Conversion successful, 0-14.

Farnham were almost in again when Shawa Rai and Marco Azevedo combined well to see the tight head prop break in the 22 but the ball was spilled moments later. Farnham’s defence was still looking strong but some ill discipline cost them field position. A penalty was taken quickly by the Totts Winger and found their flanker who broke through the line and chipped behind with Joe Wigmore having to take the ball over resulting in a 5m Totts scrum. The scrum slowly moved forward with the number 8 powering over in the corner. Conversion missed, 5-14. Farnham had to survive this Totts spell but suffered a blow when Max Williams was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock on. Totts made the man advantage pay when their 13 broke through the middle to score their 2nd try. Conversion successful, 12-14. Farnham managed to see out the remainder of the half and were disappointed with how the first 40 ended after such a dominant start.

Farnham knew they had to manage the next 5 minutes with 14 men and get back into the ascendancy. Perhaps the turning point of the match as Totts attack down the left wing but the ball spills out and Joe Wigmore pounces on the loose ball and sprints in from 50 meters for his 15th try of the season. Conversion successful, 12-21. Totts had the chance minutes later to reduce the lead through a penalty however this was pulled to the left with Max Williams then returning to the field. Farnham looked threatening in attacked with Harrison Horner and Jonny Vincent leading the meters carried chart. The scrum was steady with the front row of Pickett, Bemelmans and Azevedo holding their own. Lineout leaders Oscar Henderson and Sam Voight had done their research as they were constantly disrupting the Totts lineout.

Totts were now increasing their own penalty count with several in their own half and were down to 14 men minutes later when their replacement tackled a player without the ball. Farnham kicked to the corner and looked to again use their driving mail to good effect. It was stopped short with the ball moved wide through Ollie Brown and Toby Salmon, the latter find a flying Reece Stennett who finished off brilliantly in the right corner for the bonus point try. Conversion successful, 12-28. Farnham were in control and a scrum penalty just over 40 meters out, gave Toby Salmon a chance to extend his sides lead which he dually did. The score now 12-31.

Totts didn’t lye down and kept trying to break Farnham however their defence was just too good. Unfortunately just after the 70 minute mark, a bad looking head knock to Toby Salmon left him unconscious and requiring medical assistance. After a lengthy delay, the coaches and referee decided to end the game slightly early, with the result standing. Toby suffered a concussion but is back home resting up and in good spirits.

A great 5 points on the road though against a tough, physical Tottonians side. Farnham now needing a bonus point win at home to Chobham to secure the title. Make sure you are at the club on the 22nd of March to cheer the boys on.

Presidents podium:
3- Joe Wigmore
2- Toby Salmon
1- Adam Pickett