Guildford Bisons 14 v 3 Farnham Hornets

Early exchanges were dominated by the defences, and both teams quickly realised that kicking was the only way to gain any meaningful territory. In a game of limited highlights, Steve Simmons produced the best run of the day with a mazy carry through midfield, beating three defenders, before finding the comfort of contact. But barnstorming runs like this were few and far between.

Ominous dark clouds had been circling the park for some time and prior to half time the heavens opened. Both teams changed tactics and tried to slow the ball down, playing close to the set piece. But Bisons were not finished with their kicking game and the back three were called on to defend some difficult up-and-under kicks. Fortunately, despite the wet and windy conditions, they were up to the task and both sides went into the break empty handed.

At the beginning of the second half the Hornets strong defence continued when a big hit from pint sized winger Tom Silcox stopped a flowing Bison’s back move. Strong work in the loose from Bisons kept the pressure on the Hornets rarely allowing Farnham into their opponents half. But in one of their limited adventures up field, with some typical tackling by Deano and solid work by Mizzi at the ruck area, Farnham were awarded a penalty which John Weldon calmly slotted over to put the visitors in front, 0-3.

With the contest at the ruck becoming a mess, both teams became frustrated. This unfortunately boiled over a couple of times and eventually the referee had enough and gave a Bisons player a ten minute rest. But this seemed to galvanise the Bison forwards with the front five in particular puttnig a huge amount of pressure on Farnham in the set piece.

With Bisons on top and searching for their first score the Hornets were left to defend the try line through numerous phases. Eventually the Farnham defence was breached and the first try of the afternoon scored, the conversion added to put the hosts ahead, 7-3. Farnham needed to get back in the game quickly and a quick tap penalty by the scrum half saw him darting along the defence, covering the pitch from left to right, before kicking through for the chase. Unfortunately a high bounce meant the ball rose over the fingertips of the fly-half and a certain try was gone when the Bison’s full back scrambled to cover, and the opposition cleared their line successfully.

In the last minutes, the toll of the game showed and gaps started appearing in both defences. But Bisons were on top and, retaining possession, they crossed the Farnham line only to be held up by a plethora of Hornet defenders. From the scrum, the number 8 picked but was tackled well in the centre, but play continued and Bison swiftly moved the ball down the line to score with the final play of the game. The conversion was met with the referees whistle and the final score stood at 14-3.

In difficult conditions, both teams tried to play rugby but it was a day for the defences. Farnham will have been disappointed to concede two tries and there is work to be done in the week to prepare for next weekends first league game away at Battersea Ironsides. But the Hornets have progressed well in their pre-season games and can look toward the upcoming season with confidence.

Report by Oliver Richford