The joys of a late summer greeted Farnham for their first home game of the season. The temperature touched 25oC and a slight, cooling breeze made conditions perfect for running rugby.
Neither side disappointed as Farnham locked horns with old rivals Old Emmanuel (OE). This lively, physical encounter showed the best of Level 7 rugby. The consensus from Farnham’s faithful supporters was that this was the best OE team for many a year possessing a big, rangy back row and a Tonganesque front row. Farnham were made to work hard but eventually ran out bonus point winners by 39-15.
Farnham had a bright start and put attacks together that penetrated the OEs defence. Gabe Hills, recently returned from Bracknell RFC, turned up the power and surged towards the posts. He was check tackled by Powell Voegt but managed to pop the ball up to support runner Reece Stennet for the game’s opening score. Toby Salmon pushed the conversion just wide. 5-0.
From the kick-off, Farnham conceded the first of many penalties for offside. The blitz or rush defence encourages teams to take the game right up to the limits, virtually on the gain line. This referee was having none of it and subsequently Farnham were repeatedly ‘pinged’. OE’s Whiteley was on form with the boot and from 45m scored the penalty points. 5-3.
Farnham were guilty of sleepy periods interspersed with purple patches in both halves. Eventually, on 25 minutes, they broke out through No 8 Rob Mitchell and Ben Adams. The OE defence was sucked in and then decimated by a rampaging Kurt Schonert to score his first try in the Black and White. He promises to bring power to the Farnham row and rounded off a great performance with a massive charge over 50 metres in the second half that startled the old school props in the crowd. Again, Toby Salmon, uncharacteristically, fluffed the conversion attempt.
The Schonert-Joris-Brown triumvirate up front, backed by second rower’s Adams and Donaldson began to dominate the larger OE pack and with skipper Oli Brown urging them on, the Farnham scrum drove forward. A pick-up by Mitchell, a pop pass to Michael Salmon at pace and a superb off-load to Liam Welch for his try 15-3 and halftime.
Farnham had the benefit of the breeze and opened with a salvo started by centre James Corlett. He is direct and pulled in the defenders. Held but as the maul drove forward, Marco Azevado burst clear to complete an ideal day for the prop forwards. 20-3.
Just as they appeared to be pulling clear, Farnham drifted sleepily for fifteen minutes. OE capitalised with a try from Dodds and began, deservedly, to get back into the game. The momentum swung. The contest burst into renewed vigour. This was encapsulated when the ubiquitous Toby Comley escaped down the left flank to score an audacious chip and chase try in the corner. 25-8.
Back came OE driven by their meaty front row. Successive close quarter drives saw Rozenberg flop over for the score. Whiteley’s conversion made it 25-15, the visitors edging closer.
Fortunately, the Farnham’s sleepy period ended and normal service was resumed with a great break out from two of the bench subs. Angus Butcher combined with new wing Stanley Marisa to slide over under the posts. An easy conversion for Salmon Jnr took the score to 32-15.
OE began to run out of steam as the clock ran down and were punished by a sweeping Farnham move that freed Toby Salmon to race 50 metres down the right hand touchline to score out wide. His conversion was successful – as they always tend to be after his own tries. Final score 39-15 and apart from the two “time-off” periods, this was a good squad performance against a classy well drilled OE side. Ben Jones ended the afternoon with a fantastic try saving tackle that summed up the Farnham spirit.
Next week, Farnham 1st XV is away to Twickenham RFC.
President’s Podium Summary
Liam Welch - 3 improving with every game.
Kurt Schonert - 2 classy in both tight and Loose play
Toby Comley - 1 outrageous chip and chase game breaking try.