1st XV
Matches
Sat 02 Apr 2022  ·  London 1S
London Cornish
18
26
Farnham R.U.F.C.
1st XV
Farnham dig out scrappy win...

Farnham dig out scrappy win...

Mark Weeks4 Apr 2022 - 09:54
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.. to maintain momentum.

Maybe it was the early 14.15 kick off, the slope of the billiard-table-topped pitch or the fact that Farnham 1st XV rarely travel well. Perhaps it was over confidence given the season’s earlier encounter in which the team put 85 points on the opposition. Whatever it was, Farnham were not at their best in Saturday’s league fixture at London Cornish – particularly in the first half. However, successful teams manage to win under such circumstances. And so it was that Farnham earned the right to look forward with confidence to their second season in London 1 South following their 18-26 win on the day – the seventh “W” of the season.
Neither side covered themselves in glory during the opening 20 minutes as the ball was constantly spilt or turned over. Exciting end-to-end stuff for the neutral but frustrating for both sets of supporters. It must be remembered that Cornish have Guildford as one of their two scalps for the season. They are no mugs and their 8-9-10 spine is populated by talented players. Furthermore, in this scrum-laden period, their tight five, bolstered by a sizeable second row, dominated the set piece.
On 15 minutes, Cornish took a 3-0 lead with a penalty from in front of the posts. Soon after Farnham spilt the ball in midfield allowing Cornish to break out only to be halted by conceding a penalty. Cornish went for the corner, but to the large contingent of the travelling Faithful’s relief, the ball was stolen in the air by Ben Adams. The relief was short lived as once again the ball was turned over and after a couple of phases the Cornish 8 found himself in acres of space on the left and went over for the try. Unconverted, 8-0.
The score galvanised the visitors who secured possession from the restart and took the ball up field through the phases. For a period of time, the ball sticks! Strong carries by Ben Adams and his forwards pounded the Cornish line. Eventually, Ollie Brown at 9 released the backs and after a typically robust run, Tim Salmon offloaded to full back Gabe Hills who, in trademark tackle-busting style, wriggled over for the try. Tim had the kicking duties this day and was successful with the conversion. 8-7.
Some aspects of the Farnham game started to click. The scrum held firm. Tim Salmon’s kicking from hand made good ground. The team came close to a score when Farnes' delicate dab through bounced down the slope over the “billiard table” just out of reach of the chasers. Strong carries in midfield by the forwards made holes in the Cornish line. Man of the match Jon Vincent at hooker made use of the space and with great footwork turned the Cornish defence. Cornish infringed and Farnham kicked for the corner. The line out was disrupted but Toby Comley was quick to snaffle the loose ball and three quick passes later Hills jinked over from close range for his second. Tim Salmon conversion attempt went just wide and the half time whistle blew. 8-12.
The second half began in similar vein to the first. The game ebbed too and fro as each team went through the phases until someone dropped the ball. However, Cornish’ accomplished 10 knew his home ground well and with long raking kicks down the hill, pinned Farnham into their 22. There, Fijian Lai Rokotuwai, on for Chalker on the wing, made two tackles and two carries – all four of which culminated in a stoppage to allow the tackled and the tacklers to recover. Unfortunately, he cut in for his first tackle leaving the wing undefended and Cornish’ rapid No 14 went over. Conversion missed and Cornish had their noses in front 13-12.
Farnham’s chase at the restart was lazy enough to allow Cornish to gather and spin the ball wide to their 14 who curled round a ragged defence to go over again. 18-12. Was this the overture to an upset?
Once again it needed adversity to spark the black and whites. And again, it was the fancy footwork of hooker Jon Vincent to put the Cornish defence on the back foot after which Farnham put in the phases and the ball sticks. Right, left and yards made until Ben Adams saw the gap on the Cornish 22 and broke for the line. As the cover defence arrived, there was Ollie Brown running the classic No 9 support line to take the pass and scurry over in front. Tim’s conversion was good and Farnham were back in front 18-19.
The Cornish come back was stifled by the Farnham D which was back to its best. Farnham were pinged for coming in at the side of a ruck and Cornish kicked for the corner. Farnham stole the line out but the ref spotted the knock-on. The Farnham pack then put in a huge effort at the five-metre scrum to disrupt clean ball and won the turnover at the ensuing ruck. Ollie Brown cleared for touch and Farnham began to work their way up field.
For the third time in the match – if only it had been more – the Black and Whites put in multiple phases – and keep the ball. The Cornish defence is pulled right, left and back again until Toby Comley sees unguarded space in the middle and sprints over from 20 meters out. The conversion is good. 18-26.
The game is not done. Cornish regather the restart and their 10 once again sends the ball spiralling down into the Farnham 22. However, Rokotuwai is well positioned to receive and clears. The final whistle goes.
A win is a win. Podium: Jon Vincent 3, Tim Salmon 2, Ben Adams 3.

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Apr 2022

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

London 1S

League position

11
Farnham
13
London Cornish
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Principal Partner - Saltus
Club Partner - Natta
Shirt Sponsor - Specific Interiors