After a bruising first half Farnham went up through the gears to produce three magical tries in a breath-taking second half. The final result of 5-27, with Old Cranleighans scoring a consolation try on the full time whistle, was a fair reflection on the afternoon’s play.
The Farnham faithful were out in force necessary to drive on the Black and Whites and to combat the home supporters with their unique “OhhhCeeeeezzz”. OCs have been a benchmark club for Farnham. Over the past fifteen or so years Farnham have enjoyed tremendous tussles with them in both league and cup competitions. These games have ended in one score difference either way. However, this season has seen a shift with two big Farnham wins and an overall points difference of 76.
The first half of this bruiser had OCs on the ropes for much of the action. They are renowned for their organised defence and all, to a man, tackle as if their lives depend. Farnham battered the home ramparts, but the aggressive defence held firm.
On two occasions, the Farnham pressure did tell – a penalty for offside with Toby Salmon was on target. Then, after a sequence of five penalties to Farnham in the home 22, the ref showed a yellow card to the OC’s No8. Farnham decided on the scrum but OCs went early and a free kick is awarded. Farnham’s No 8 and seasons top try scorer, Liam Welch, took the quick decision to tap and go and barged over for his 14th try of the season. Half time, 0-8.
Farnham had thrown everything at the home defence in the first half, attacking from wide out through wingers Reece Stennett and Stan Marisa. They were driven back. They also attacked from close in with Welch, Simmons and Naisbitt with the same result from a solid Cranleighian defensive wall. Would OCs Herculean efforts take their toll? The second half would reveal all.
As the second half opened, it was apparent that Farnham were determined to run the ball at every opportunity. With the back row of Comley, Welch and Mitzi supporting the centres Kavanagh and Weeks and the Salmon brothers Toby and Michael pulling the strings, Farnham ramped up the pace and the pressure. The result – three audacious tries.
The first was orchestrated by Michael Salmon. He received the ball 10 metres inside his own half and floated a 30 metre pass to younger brother Toby. He set off on a mazy, crazy run through the heart of the OCs defence making 30, then 40 metres and then the entire half to be hauled down short of the line. The support was quick and the ball spirited out to an unstoppable Michael Salmon who appeared 70 metres away on the opposite wing to his original pass – an outstanding effort by the Salmon boys. The conversion was made. 0-15 and the dam had burst.
After a series of sweeping attacks, Reece Stennett was held up on the home 22 but skipper Olí Brown was in quickly to fire a pass to Toby Salmon. He jinked to the home 22, stood still and popped pass to Ed Weeks who at full pace raced untouched through the gap under the posts. Magical! A real live sport moment. 0-22.
More was to come with a team try. Ben Adams, who was immense throughout, supported by Azevado, Joris and Naisbitt, stole an OCs lineout on the Farnham 22 to put Michael Salmon away down the right wing. Yards gained, Salmon senior popped the ball inside to Salmon junior who had Marisa on his outside who with plenty of pace made the finish a certainty. This was the third of three jaw-dropping tries that were all team efforts and all richly deserved. Farnham were playing rugby at its best and the away support agreed it was a privilege to watch.
The last play of the game saw two debatable line outs awarded to OCs with the resultant five metre catch and drive producing a consolation try much to the delight of the vociferous home support.
This was a superb second half performance by the Black and Whites producing some of the tries of the season. Fitness, organisation and sheer brilliance had won the day.
Presidents Podium: Ben Adams – 3 - the time of his life, line out dominance, turnovers, tackles – perfect; Toby Salmon – 2 - back to his best; Michael Salmon – 1 another great game made all three tries with brother Toby