Farnham welcomed 4th placed Old Alleynians to Monkton Lane on a dry, sunny afternoon. Jack Buxton and George Bellamy shifted to 7 and 8 and Joe Wigmore returned on the wing in a few Farnham changes. Toby Simmons celebrated his 50th 1XV appearance as Farnham kicked off the match.

The opening exchanges were fast paced as the surface was dry and encouraged attacking rugby. Both teams made early breaks but it was the visitors who got the first score when they found space out wide and their dynamic 7 fed his fly half. Conversion successful, 0-7. Farnham won a scrum penalty which allowed them to kick to the corner. They were stopped short but eventually got over the line through Harrison Horner. Conversion successful, 7-7. Alleynians were quick to move the ball again to the width and their wingers combined for a good score in right hand corner to regain the lead. Conversion missed, 7-12. Farnhams attack was much more direct and powerful forwards Marco Azevedo and Harrison Horner continued to make yards. Another patient attack saw Harrison Horner go over for his 2nd score as Farnham retook the lead. 14-12.

Farnham showed their pace as well though when a counter attack saw Joey Wood breakthrough and feed Toby Simmons who grubbered in behind and won the footrace to dot down for a score on his 50th appearance. Conversion missed, 19-12. The Farnham speedster was at the double when minutes later, the back line combined well and Joey Wood again the provider for this time an easy score in the corner. Conversion missed 24-12. They were almost in again when a George Bellamy break from kick off got Farnham to halfway then Jack Buxton broke into the 22. A kick behind was well scrambled and from the goaline drop out, Farnham broken down the right before Toby Simmons was taken out rather high but just a penalty was given. Old Alleynians broke from a Lineout error and their scrum half broke from the ruck for an easy score. Conversion successful, 24-19. Another high tackle was given just as a penalty with Farnham kicking for the corner. From the driving maul, Farnham powered towards the line and Jonny Vincent dived over for the score. 29-19. Half time shortly followed and everyone needed a breather.

The visitors started the 2nd half much better as they won a penalty and reduced it to a one score game. 29-22. Some poor tackling from the lineout presented Alleynians with an easy line break and their centre went under the posts for their bonus point score and the game was now level 29-29. The Farnham scrum was very dominant as penalties continued to mount. The visitors were finally reduced to 14 men but a first half injury meant they couldn’t field a front row and uncontested scrums. Farnham thought Alleynians had to reduce to 13 men but apparently not. This rattled Farnham more than it should and they couldn’t capitalise as Alleynians cleared their lines and pressure. Chris Te Mete replaced the injured George Bellamy at number 8. Farnham almost scored when a knock on was hacked on but Joey Wood just couldn’t gather.

Alleynians made Farnham pay as they broke into the 22 and patiently got closer to the line before powering over to take the lead. 29-36. Ollie Brown came on at fly half as Farnham looked to get back into the game. An interception from the Alleynians skipper looked damaging but Joe Wigmore tracked him down just before the line. Unfortunately Jack Buxton was shown a yellow card for being offside as Farnham were now down a man. From the lineout, Alleynians managed to score from their rolling maul. Conversion missed, 29-41. Farnham were chasing the game but fatigue was starting to show. However half centurion Toby Simmons still had plenty in the tank and he broke the line from a lovely Alex Young inside ball and sprinted away, stepping and powering through tackles before diving under the posts for his hat trick. Conversion successful, 36-41. Farnham kept going to the end as they looked to clinch the win but just ran out of the steam as the game finished 36-41.

It was only Farnham’s 2nd loss at home all season and one they let slip. An away trip to CS stags awaits next week but a win could see Farnham move up to 5th so still plenty to play for.

Presidents podium:
3- Toby Simmons
2- Harrison Horner
1- Marco Azevedo