Farnham travelled down to 2nd place Bournemouth for the final game of the league season. The title was decided but Farnham did have their unbeaten season to defend with Bournemouth keen to finish the season on a high as well. Farnham welcome back the halfback duo of Harry West and Ollie Brown with the rest of the team unchanged from Chobham. Farnham won the toss and chose to use the strong wind but in glorious sunny conditions.

Bournemouth kicked off with a high kick into the breeze and looked to assert their physicality from the start. The sunny conditions saw both sides looking to play with Farnham keeping the ball moving in open play. Ollie Brown was engaging the line and brining in key carriers, Oscar Henderson and Jonny Vincent. The Bournemouth defence was holding strong however Farnham knew they would get their chances. However it was the home team that struck first when they broke down the left hand side with the winger being stopped 5 meters short. The ball was then moved down the line to the right winger who had a walk in try and dived over. Perhaps he should have run closer to the posts as he left the kicker with a very tricky kick, that was missed. 5-0. The right winger could have had another score but luckily defence hero Joe Brockman was on hand to just drag his feet into touch.

Farnham knew they had to respond and did so after a patient attacking build up saw them enter the 22. Ollie Brown half broke through the line before offloading to Jonny Vincent with the ball recycled quickly and moved through the hands, with Joey Wood finishing off well in the corner. Ben Stevens converted from the touchline and Farnham now lead. 5-7. A penalty in front of the posts, gave Farnham a chance to extend their lead with Ben Stevens easily knocking it over. 5-10. The game was becoming more physical with a scuffle breaking out off the ball which saw both teams lose someone for 10 minutes. Bournemouth were lucky that the referee missed a deliberate punch in the face on Fin Sloan by the Bournemouth try scorer, leaving the Farnham centre with a busted nose. Bournemouth kept up their ill discipline which gave Farnham great field territory and looked for a score just before half time. A penalty in front of the posts gave Farnham a good chance to extend their lead however they decided to go for the scrum. They continued to pound the Bournemouth line however a knock on moments later meant it stayed 5-10.

Farnham were content with their 1st half performance but knew it would be a tough 2nd half time into the breeze. The front row of Pickett, Kirkpatrick and Franzel were holding their own in the scrum and were supported by lock duo Sam Voight and Harrison Horner. Toby Simmons came on for the injured Fin Sloan with Joe Brockman moving to centre. Bournemouth were first to score though as a defensive mistake saw the left winger breakthrough and a step inside saw him god untouched under the posts. Conversion successful, 12-10. However Farnham were quick to bounce back with some sharp hands from Ollie Brown and Ben Stevens seeing Joe Wigmore finish off well and run in under the posts for another score. Conversion successful, 12-17. Farnham had their tails up and broke through again with a lethal counter attack with the electric back three combining to see Toby Simmons break away however Bournemouth scrambled well to bring him down and win a penalty.

A couple of deliberate knock ons from the Bournemouth right winger were only deemed penalties and he somehow still stayed on the pitch. However minutes later, their veteran scrum half wasn’t so lucky and he was given 10 minutes for a deliberate knock on. Farnham almost made the man advantage pay when Joe Wigmore broke through after an excellent pass from Harrison Horner and the winger was brought down just into the 22. The ball was quickly moved wide and Ben Stevens looked to be in the corner however lost the ball just over the line. A huge let off for the hosts and the game was still in the balance. Minutes later, a scrum just insides Farnham half gave the hosts a chance to attack. A well execute backs move saw them breakthrough the line with the fullback finishing off well. Conversion successful, 19-17.

Bournemouth continued to give away penalties which helped keep Farnham in the game. A penalty on the 22 just to the left of the posts gave Farnham a chance to retake the lead. Ben Stevens stepped up to make amends for his earlier mistake and slotted the kick under pressure. 19-20 with 10 minutes to go. George Bellamy and Ollie Banks Thompson came on to bolster the pack with Bellamy making a number of key tackles. Farnham knew they had to hold firm in defence and their star tackler Shawa Rai continued to be everywhere. Joe Brockman relieved the pressure with a break inside the Bournemouth half with Farnham retaining the ball well. They managed to keep hold of it and claim the deserved win to achieve an unbeaten season.

An amazing achievement from this special group who finished the league season on 101 points and the best defence in the league. The coaches, support staff and travelling support also deserve huge credit and it was a great bus trip back to Surrey. Attention now turns to the cup with a trip to old rivals Battersea in round 1.

Presidents podium:
3- Shawa Rai
2- Ollie Brown
1- Sam Voight