A blustery wind right down a sticky dog of a pitch at Old Emanuel made this more of a mud fest than a slug fest. The outcome was a scrappy game in which both sides racked up the mistakes. However, the result, a 25-35 win, secures Farnham’s position as league leaders. As the sages say, “If you’re going to play in horrible conditions there is only one thing to do - win”.
Old Emmanuel are a good well-drilled side. However, they were not as fit as Farnham and could not sustain the pace on an unforgiving surface. To their credit they came alive for ten minutes at the end of each half to win a try bonus point and rattle the Black and Whites.
Farnham started down the slope with the tricky breeze behind them. The cold blast confirmed that this was no time to be a winger out in the tundra. The usual early rounds gave Farnham the edge. Their multi-phase attacks pushed OE back into their 22 where they earned a penalty in front of the posts for a deliberate slap down of the ball. Lucky to escape the yellow card, OE’s Davies kept a low profile as Toby Salmon slotted the kick. 0-3.
Farnham were too strong in the scrum and drove the OE back in the first set three pieces. The young referee had seen enough after the third rout and awarded Farnham another penalty under the posts. Easy for Salmon and the scoreboard was ticking over after 15 minutes. 0-6.
This lead gave Farnham the confidence to attack from all areas. First Reece Stennett broke out down the Farnham left wing from the 22. Quick hands by virtually the entire Farnham XV shipped the ball on in a thrilling 75 metre break out that culminated in right winger Tom Cerullo hurtling over in the corner.
With the conversion missed, Farnham set about increasing the lead using the conditions, slope and wind to their advantage. Rob Mitchell and Liam Welch surged through the centre to free up Michael Salmon who confirmed his current form by blasting past and through the defenders to score under the posts. The conversion points were easy for brother Toby. 0-18.
Showing sport in all its vagaries, OE, seemingly out on their feet, turned the half on its head scoring two tries in as many minutes to rattle Farnham. The first was from a simple but accurate catch and drive and, from the kick off, another sweeping move saw right winger Stroud over in the corner 10-18. OE then took their turn to take the foot off the pedal and concede another scrum penalty. The half ended 10-21.
Emmanuel now had the conditions at their backs and fly half Whiteley was determined to play the slope and breeze. His with long raking clearance kicks drove Farnham back into their 22. On the rack, Farnham conceded a breakdown penalty and Whiteley claimed the spoils. 13-21.
Possibly the conditions caused the players to wilt. OEs lost their starting back rowers Bourke and Dutch to injury and Bowden was sent to the bin for collapsing an attacking drive. Farnham’s Michael Salmon tweaked a hamstring and came off for a precautionary substitution with Dec Kavanagh. It is at times like this that both players and spectators realise how important Michael is as defence organiser and potent attacking force. Nevertheless, Kavanagh, obviously delighted to come on, broke free on the half-way line to race up the slope and dot down under the posts. Another easy for conversion Toby Salmon and the lead stretched out to 13-28.
The clock was moving towards the final ten minutes when Farnham’s No8 Rob Mitchell pulled up injured to be replaced by Andrew Kidd who, in the next attack, also managed to damage his shoulder. Ian Williams and Mike Mitzi came on to continue the battle with the bench empty and contribute to Farnham’s bonus point try scored after a serious of driving forward attacks under the home posts. Throughout the match, OE’s defence enjoyed the referee’s use of the offside laws. Credit to them, they played right up to the line and often, unpenalised, beyond. At last, the pressure proved too much and Toby Salmon sprinted away for the clincher under the posts and his own simple conversion 13-35.
As in the first half, Farnham collectively relaxed with the game won and the bonus point secure. Back roared OE with two superb tries for their own well-deserved bonus point to end the game 25-35.
President’s Podium Points:
Ben Adams - 3 - did the hard work and rallied the troops at every opportunity.
Reece Stennett - 2 - crossed the gain line every time and didn’t miss a tackle.
Toby Comley - 1 - getting back to his best.