Farnham 2nd XV 19 - 17 Old Paulines 2nd XV

Old Paulines arrived in an abrasive mood and were determined not to be cannon fodder as the first visiting side.

Farnham received the kick-off, and a ferocious contest began. Strong tackling from both sides meant that neither could get an attack going in the first few phases. Good scrummaging from the opposition allowed them to win the ball and counter attack. Ten minutes in to the first half, Old Paulines kept the pressure on, charging down a kick and scored to go 0 – 7 up.

Reeling from the score, the Hornets were determined to come back fighting. Strong running lines and swift passing saw Henry Milas break through and beat three players before being tap-tackled. Unfortunately the break came to nothing.

Momentum back with the home-side, Andy James put through a good grubber kick, which was well chased by Mark Baines to finally get Farnham into the opposition 22. Tom March jumped well in the line-out, constantly pressurising the opposition hooker.

Powerful running from James Franklin set up the backs for another attack. The ball moved swiftly through the hands and Mark Baines dived over in the corner. Andy James was unsuccessful with the difficult conversion attempt, taking the score to 5 – 7.

After the score Farnham found themselves pinned down in their own half again. Poor handling from Old Paulines and some fantastic cover tackling from Oli Brown and John Weldon kept the score unchanged before half time.

A few changes at half time refreshed the side and Farnham went back out eager to turn things around. Typically putting his body on the line, Tom Foster flew head first into another tackle early on and was unfortunate to be kicked in the face. A nasty cut to the cheek, which would later require five stitches, ended his game.

A superb weaving run from Greg Mungall gave the Hornets momentum and physical ball carrying from Dan Greene smashed through the line. Andy James converted to give Farnham the lead, 12 – 7. Building on this score, Farnham attacked again with strong running from Craig Macey. John Weldon grubber kicked accurately and chased well, despite having lost a lot of blood from his elbow wound.

Matt Kelleher played very well throughout the second half, ball carrying with tenacity and tackling like a man possessed. Despite Kelleher’s efforts, a period of Old Paulines pressure lead to an opportunity for points and the penalty was converted to take the score to 12 – 10.

As the game reached its climax, the close score line meant that a moment of genius or a mistake would win it for one side or the other. Oli Brown fired the ball away from the base of the ruck, into the backline and popped back to the blindside winger. Sam Greensitt caught the ball and scythed through the defence, to score under the posts. The conversion gave a 19 – 10 to Farnham.

In the dying moments of the game, constant pressure from Old Paulines, and poor discipline from Farnham, allowed them to march down the field and score under the posts as the final whistle was blown. A successful conversion made the final score 19 – 17.

The Hornets can be happy to have come away with a victory in a tight game where it was difficult to get out of their own half. Credit must go to young player and man of the match Oli Brown who has a strong future at the scrum half position. Next week Farnham tackle Wimbledon Extra at home, and will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten home record.

Written by Oli Richford