Big crowd, proud opposition, great win – what better way to spend a Saturday afternoon for the Farnham Faithful. Make no mistake this was an hard fought, well-deserved thumping of old rivals – London Irish Wild Geese by 50-20.

A first win for Farnham after so many close but just not enough encounters. The squad, apart from a few errors, was on fire for the full eighty minutes. All three substitutes were used as injuries took their toll – Ben Brown on for Jamie Low, Nathan Philimore for Matt Farnes, a sad end to his first start, and Alex Chalker for Ben Edwards – three changes in the first quarter. Flying winger Reece Stennet enjoying life in the back row and what a game he had.

As to the action – Farnham started at pace but after over extending the Irish opened the scoring after a deft cross field kick by their experienced flyhalf Prescott to Buadromo on the right. A flick inside pass saw Fuller over in the corner. The ease of the try stung Farnham into action and they never really looked back. Man of the match Toby Salmon raced away after a line out catch and drive to score under the posts and claiming the extras 7-5. Almost immediately the Irish were on the back foot and another mazy run from halfway by Toby Salmon created the try for brother Tim to crash over. Easy pickings for both of the boys 14-5.

The crowd was starting to warm up, this was electric, rapid handling rugby at its best. The Irish were being torn apart – Winger Gabe Hills, back to his mercurial best, fought off all the cover to score in the corner. 19-5.

From the kick off at last some respite for the visitors as after a series of pick and drives the Farnham pack infringed and the penalty was easy for Prescott. The Farnham backs were not to be denied and after a surging attack had dragged the Geese defence from one side to the other – Ben Jones was on hand at his full blistering pace to score the all important bonus point try. Again easy for Toby Salmon. 26-8 and half time. A superb half for the Black and Whites.

The second half opened with a turnover from pack leader Ben Adams, who despite all of the changes to the pack Ben Brown to hooker, Joris to prop and Stennet to the flank, set the standards throughout leading from the front. That man Toby Salmon again capitalising and opening a chasm in the Irish defence to put Nathan Philimore over for his first club try. A formality for the kicker 33-8.

At last the visitors gained some pride. After a line out catch and drive Vatu the hooker drove over for the try and an easy conversion for the impressive Prescott. This stung Farnham into overdrive and some sumptuous handling saw attack after attack – back rowers Toby Comley and Jon Vincent ruled the open field for the whole match and with Jordan Frost, playing the best rugby of his career, the Irish were put under constant pressure. Uncharacteristicly Farnham ‘butchered’ two easy try opportunities before Toby Salmon again stretched the defence to put in a flying Ben Jones for his second try. 38-15.

Back came the Irish and after a series of stifled attacks winger Bauadromo was awarded a dubious score wide out when the referee failed to spot a huge knock on over the line. Perhaps the Irish deserved some luck? That concluded the Irish effort for the day as again Farnham raised the bar with a scintillating try from Gabe Hills who stood up his opposite number and absolutely skinned him with an outside break – Hills at his best.

Not content with scoring out wide the pack ended the game with a final pick and drive flourish and after successfully battering the visitors defence Jordan Frost smashed over under the posts to cap a tremendous individual performance. The final kick took the home tally to 50.

A superb advert for rugby at this level – Farnham enjoyed their well earned spoils with this thumping win in the Autumn sunshine.

Podium

Toby Salmon – 3 points. Back to his irresistible best.
Ben Adams – 2 points. Led from the front throughout.
Gabe Hills – 1 point. Master class.