This was one of the great rugby days as Monkton Lane hosted a top of the table clash against rivals Battersea Ironsides. Both sides are unbeaten this season. The winner will take all!
Ironsides arranged to bring both their first and second XVs to Farnham for a cross=club fixture day and what a day it proved to be.
After the shenanigans of last Saturday versus Old Reigatians, the RFU appointed a senior National 3 level referee to officiate. He was needed! This was a full on battle between two talented, fit, committed XVs. After the game, the referee could not have been more complimentary about the standard of rugby he had witnessed. Rapturous applause for both teams as they left the pitch proved the large crowd agreed. Amateur level 7 “junior” rugby can entertain as much – if not more so – than its professional counterpart.
Cold, clear, still conditions greeted the players. What a start with both sides throwing the early blows! A physical arm wrestle began to emerge with both sides imposing their rugby style on the game. The Irons had their tried and trusted pick and drive. It was relentless, direct sweeping all before them. However, the Farnham defence was resolute.
By comparison, Farnham were broader in their approach marshalled by their conductor at scrum half, Ollie Brown. They played a more expansive game with aggressive running from all points. Man of the match No 8 Liam Welch and his flankers Toby Comley and Andrew Kidd were outstanding.
It would prove to be a long afternoon.
Farnham No10 Toby Salmon was everywhere probing, teasing and frustrating the visitors. After a period of pressure, Farnham win a well-deserved penalty and Toby Salmon converts for the opening points. Much of this early pressure was created by the Farnham backs.
Full-back Jack Scullion is proving a hugely successful weapon in the Farnham armoury. He is blessed with a huge left foot howitzer and deceptive, rangy pace that is confusing to the defenders and so penetrating. The visitors were hemmed back with Scullion's kicks chased down by the Farnham wings Reece Stennet, Tom Cerullo and centres Michael Salmon and an impressively revitalised James Corlett.
Another huge penalty from Scullion put the Irons in retreat. Desperate defence led to an easy penalty decision for the referee. Salmon converted. 6-0 to Farnham.
Farnham capitalised on further territorial pressure with a massive line-out catch and drive from the visitors’ 22. Ben Adams steered the controlled, rumbling maul from the back and went over for a well-deserved try. Easy extras for Toby Salmon and the Farnham lead extended to 13-0.
In the build-up to the score, Jordan Frost picked up another injury after a really productive opening 30 minutes. This young man deserves a period without injuries. On came young Michael Mizzi for his debut with proud Dad Paul puffing his chest.
As the final score shows, this game was not all one-way traffic. The Ironsides pick and drive tactics began to gain momentum, eating up the yards through their back row of Martin, Burman and O’Riordan steered by talented fly-half and captain Charlie Stuart. Pressure told and they earn a penalty. 13-3.
From the kick-off Farnham, on the re-bound, drove down the left wing and from the resultant maul the ever-present Liam Welch broke away, swerved through the defence and went in for the try.
Back came the Irons. Scullion was penalised and yellow carded for killing the ball under the home posts and easy points for Stuart. 18-6 at half time.
Neither side were going to lie down. Top of the table clashes fascinate and the stronger side on the day always survives. The Irons half-time talk had its effect as they opened up with a drive down the left wing earning a penalty from which the ensuing line out produced a powerful catch and drive. 18-13 with the conversion.
Farnham bounced back with another surge. They too force the penalty, go for the corner where the catch and drive put in the ageless Jules Joris under the posts for the easy extras from Toby Salmon. The momentum continued to swing first to Farnham with props Azevado and Haynes on the charge as first receivers then back to the South London boys with their relentless direct pick and drive. Another penalty conceded by Farnham and easy for Stuart. 25-16.
This was going down to the wire. The final furlong proved to be a lengthy one as the light faded and the murky conditions added to the atmosphere. Farnham were penalised for killing the ball and the Ironsides opted for another catch and drive. Well organised, they rolled the maul in-field to score close in giving Stuart easy points 25-23.
Both sides sensed victory and the tension and effort began to mount, Cramp and sheer exhaustion began to show. Farnham took their turn to attack and another catch and drive opened-up the visitor’s defence. Toby Salmon just does not miss these opportunities and scythed through the defence to dive in under the posts. The extras easy for him. 32-23 the score.
Back come the Ironsides with wave after wave of pick and drive attacks. To the Farnham supporters, the referee’s watch seemed to set on “slow”. Irons scored a try in the corner and there was still time for the restart. 32-28.
Receiving the kick-off, the Irons drove up field with accurate and relentless phases. As they battered at the try line, extra time mounted up. For the umpteenth time, the visitors picked and drove. The attack was relentless and, seemingly, interminable. The home crowd willed the referee to call time. At last, a mistake and an attacker knocked on. Farnham’s defence has held and the Ironsides beaten back.
What a game! What a tribute to both sides! It will take a very good side to beat either of them in this league.
The Vikings, Farnham 2nd XV, put in an equally dogged performance coming from behind to beat Battersea Ironsides 2nd XV 19-12 on pitch 2 at Monkton Lane to complete a great day for the club.
Next week Farnham entertain London Exiles who currently sit third in the league with another chance to put down their marker at the team to beat in London 2 South West. Kick off 2.30pm.