Farnham travelled to unbeaten league leaders Jersey in the first game after the Xmas break. The Farnham boys made the trip over on Saturday morning and were in high spirits going into the game. The starting team had a familiar look to it and it was a sunny, windy afternoon. Farnham kicked off and wanted to start the game well.

The first line break belonged to Farnham when Oscar Henderson sliced through the Jersey defence and galloped towards the line. He was brought just short of the 22 and unfortunately a knock on stopped the attack. It was the home side that got on the scoreboard first when their rolling maul powered over in the corner. Conversion successful, 7-0. From the kick off, Jersey caught the Farnham defence napping and broke out from their own 22. Some good support and link up resulted in their winger touching down in the corner. 12-0. Farnham had to bounce back and did just so. They were building their attack play with big forwards Harrison Horner and Sam Voight making good yards. A turnover allowed Farnham to move the ball wide and Toby Simmons broke clear but the final pass couldn’t find the supporting Ieuan Finey-Jones. However minutes later, Harrison Horner did well to release the ball when tackled and Oscar Henderson was on hand to then draw the full back and Shawa Rai went in for Farnham’s first try. Conversion successful, 12-7.

Farnham cleared their lines from the restart but missed tackles resulted in the fly half breaking clear but Farnham were saved by a knock on. However minutes later from a scrum, Jersey scored in the corner to extend their lead. 17-7. Farnham continued to dominate the territory however and looked for a score before halftime. A lineout on the 22 presented just that, Harrison Horner dragged in 3 Jersey defenders but the ball went out the back and through the hands of the backline which resulted in Max Williams diving over in the corner for a great score. Conversion missed, 17-12. Shawa Rai broke clear from the restart as Farnham continued their momentum. Ieuan Finey-Jones kicked in behind and Farnham had a lineout on the 22 but unfortunately this didn’t amount to anything. Jersey did almost score again before the break, but Toby Salmon and Oscar Henderson scampered back well to stop the score and see out the half. 17-12 and all to play for.

No half time changes and Jersey kicked off the 2nd half. The home side started the better with their kickers using the wind well to put Farnham under pressure. Their rolling maul got them close to the line but Farnham held out well until a crossfield kick was well gathered by their left winger who dotted down for the score. Conversion successful, 24-12. Farnham stayed in the fight though as they balanced kicking when needed but also showcase their attacking prowess. The scrum was a back and forth contest with both teams gaining penalties. A Toby Simmons line break got Farnham into the 22 and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Greg Franzel and Chris Te Mete came on to bolster the pack and a quick tap move got them into the game. A poor pass forced the knock on and felt like a missed opportunity for Farnham. Jersey almost scored a very well worked try but a Ben Stevens cover tackle, forced a knock-on.

Joey Wood came on for Ieuan Finey-Jones with Ben Jones and Toby Salmon moving to 9 & 10. A scrum penalty allowed Farnham to kick to the corner and were 5 meters out. They were patient and top scorer Jonny Vincent powered over in the corner to make it a tense finale. Conversion successful, 24-19 with 8 minutes to go. Farnham broke from the restart and created an overlap, but the ball was kicked away which felt like a big moment missed. Jersey came back and won a penalty which they converted to take it beyond one score. 27-19. Farnham kept going to the end but ran out of steam and the Jersey 12 broke clear to round of the game. Conversion successful and 34-19 the FT score.

A spirited Farnham display that saw them take the league leaders all the way and again were gutted to leave empty handed. A night out in Jersey followed before an early flight home on Sunday morning. We welcome Wimbledon to Monkton Lane last week which is set to be another tight game.

Presidents podium:
3- Oscar Henderson
2- Shawa Rai
1- Toby Simmons