Salmon leads from the front for Farnham
FARNHAM bounced back from the previous weekend’s defeat by Regional Two South Central leaders Jersey by beating Witney 25-14 at Monkton Lane.
Farnham kicked off and once again started well. After the inevitable exchange of clearance kicks was won by the returning Jack Scullion’s long-range boot, Toby Simmons made good yards down the left before the ball was recycled to Ben Jones. He found Fin Sloan who burst through the tackle before stepping the full-back to dot down for Farnham’s first try. The conversion was missed but Farnham were 5-0 ahead after just three minutes.
The Black & Whites continued to use Scullion’s boot to pin Witney back in their half. Witney fielded a big, aggressive pack that used their scrum and maul to get momentum. Their first set play attack produced a sharp move between Rob Coe at No 8 and Keir MacDougall at scrumhalf to pierce Farnham’s blind side defence. MacDougall found winger Callum Godfrey on hand to dive into the corner. The conversion was successful for 7-5.
Farnham continued to move the ball in attack with Josh Watson and Marco Azevedo making good inroads. However, some inaccurate passing stalled the try-scoring opportunities. Nevertheless, Witney were caught offside in front of the posts and Toby Salmon took the three points on offer for 8-7.
From a midfield scrum on the Witney 22, Callum Jones dived on the loose ball before offloading from the floor to Salmon who shrugged off a defender and stepped inside the last man to score Farnham’s second try. The conversion was good for 15-7.
Farnham began the second half well. Witney conceded a couple of penalties that allowed Farnham to kick for the corner and get their rolling maul going. Matt Kouris was back in the side and his throw-ins were on point all afternoon. Harrison Horner powered close to the line before Witney illegally halted any more progress. Salmon took the three points on offer for 18-7.
The game now became a fiercely physical battle with neither defence giving an inch. Farnham’s next opportunity came when a dropped Witney pass was hacked on by Salmon with the tryline begging. However the ball scuttled over the dead ball line.
Josh Watson was given 10 minutes in the bin for an off the ball incident.
With the man advantage, Witney kicked for the corner and despite being initially halted, they powered over for their second try. The conversion was successful for 18-14.
Witney sensed a last-minute turnover. Meanwhile, Farnham brought on fresh legs. Chris Duringer came on in the centres to replace Sloan. Raoul Larkins came on in the front row with Jack Buxton – both on their first XV debut.
Witney had an attacking lineout in Farnham’s 22 but this time the maul was halted, forcing them to go to the backs. With a couple of minutes left, Witney cleared their lines and earned an attacking lineout on the halfway. However, a leaping Buxton stole the ball and Ollie Brown broke away to release the pressure.
The ball was released to Ben Jones who found Salmon. He dummied his opposite man and broke through the line. He then passed to Callum Jones who headed for the corner, but was stopped short. However, Scullion had followed up and was on Jones’ shoulder to take the offload and finish off the try in the corner. Salmon completed a good afternoon with the boot by converting from wide out and the full-time whistle blew with the score 25-14.