On the first autumnal day of the season, rain and wind played their part in this thrilling, end-to-end encounter. “This was a good win on the road in very difficult conditions. Despite their league position Farnham are a well organised team and will win plenty of games,” said Medway Head Coach, Taff Gwilliam. And at half time, the Farnham Faithful were optimistic for the first win of the season, but it was not to be. The conditions were filthy, but the skill levels were high - apart from the inevitable ‘bar-of-soap’ handling errors - as Medway gradually stretched away from the Black and Whites.
Farnham started with promise. Their three previous games had begun badly with early scores against them. The Medway attacks were dealt with, and Farnham began to exert control in the scrums against the hefty Kentish Men. Props Marco Azevedo and Ben Edwards were effective in both the tight and around the fringes. Hooker Jules Joris was tigerish at the breakdown and the large home crowd began to dream. Could this be the turning point? The sizeable contingent of Medway travelling supporters were quietened.
After some superb gnarly defence led by No 8 Oscar Henderson and flanker Jordan Frost - one and two on the Presidents Podium for their performances - Toby Salmon spotted a gap and freed up winger Gabe Hills - third on the podium - for a twisting, turning sprint to the corner. 5-0 Farnham. A lead at last!
Medway are unbeaten and third in the league. The home team, without a win, are third from bottom. But the difference was yet to show. Medway conceded four penalties but, as has been the case all season, the Farnham line out just would not function well enough to earn the just rewards. The boys from Kent battled to get off the hook and their slippery, elusive left winger Orris - a thorn in the Farnham side all afternoon - broke away to force a penalty. It was an easy three points for fly half Harvey who enjoyed a flawless display with the boot from both hand and tee.
On the half hour Steve Simmons, a late replacement for Pete Daly who was injured in the warm-up, was forced off with a knee injury. Sam Woodhams came off the bench to the flank while Frost was shifted to the row. Intensity levels did not lower. As the clock wound down to the break, Medway increased their lead to 5-9 with two penalties by Harvey. But Farnham would now enjoy the wind and rain in their favour for the second half. Hopes were high.
Farnham started with a driving period of heavy pressure. Medway’s defence was stretched to breaking and within the first four minutes of the half conceded four penalties in their 22. Toby Salmon’s penalty attempt went awry and gradually the visitors worked their way back into the game. With just twenty minutes left on the clock, Farnham were caught offside at a Medway line out in midfield and the ever accurate Harvey made it 5-12. Farnham tried everything to break the deadlock. Opinions on the balcony varied about the tactics employed. Was the pick and drive being overused? Medway’s defence just would not budge. And then another break-out by Orris put Clement over in the corner. A superb conversion from Harvey made it 5-19.
Could Farnham stage a game changing comeback? Penetrating runs from the Salmon trio – Michael, Tim and Toby freed up wingers Gabe Hills and Reece Stennett who hit a Scarlet and Gold wall without success. Harrison Horner in the row and Jonathan Vincent on the flank battled manfully but the stranglehold could not be broken. For the final flourish, Harvey finished his display with a long range penalty kick at goal - 5-22 the final score.

Frustration for Farnham again. This is a tough league but, as this fixture proved, there is little difference between top and bottom. Depleted by injuries (Daly) and availability (club captain and regular flanker Toby Comley was saving himself to run the London Marathon for the Lullaby/SIDS charity the next day) the boys stuck at it for the whole game. As the Medway coach indicated, wins will come for this set of players – perhaps as they learn their lessons about game management and make greater use of the talented back line. With the likes of Henderson, Frost, Comley and Daly on the charge up front, the Farnham backs would terrorise any defence.