Farnham errors prove costly in loss to Tottonians

MISTAKES cost Farnham as they lost 42-27 at home to Tottonians in Regional Two South Central on Saturday.

Farnham drafted in the experience of Ben Adams and Gabe Hills and Ollie Brown celebrated his 200th appearance for the club.

Tottonians, who sit in third place, kicked off with the breeze behind them for the first 40 minutes.

An early penalty in front of the posts allowed them to take the lead, but Farnham almost responded immediately when Reece Stennett made great yards before Gabe Hills was just held short.

Farnham kept Tottonians in their own 22 and won a penalty to kick to the corner and have a go at a rolling maul.

It was stopped but the ball was recycled well and Sam Woodhams managed to dive over from close range for Farnham’s first score.

The conversion was missed but Farnham led 5-3.

Tottonians hit back almost immediately with a well-executed backs play that saw the left winger finish off well in the corner. Conversion missed; 8-5.

For the second half, Harrison Horner and Dan Sweeney were brought on the pack with Farnham deciding on three forwards on the bench this week to combat Tottonians physical pack.

Their patient attack eventually broke down Farnham and the scrum half dotting down to extend their lead. Conversion was unsuccessful; 13-5.

A powerful Tottonians scrum gave them forward momentum and looked to move the ball wide.

Farnham were numbers down and Toby Salmon intercepted the Tottonians fly-half pass to run in under posts from 50 metres out and get Farnham back in the game. Conversion was successful; 13-12.

The restart was gathered by Ben Jones who kicked long but was hit late by the rushing defence.

No card was given and left Jones with a dislocated shoulder and meant Jonny Vincent coming into the backline.

Farnham were awarded a penalty where the ball landed and opted to go for the posts with the penalty clipping the post and going over. Farnham now lead 15-13.

However the lead did not last long with Tottonians awarded a penalty in front of the posts and regained the lead; 16-15.

Farnham’s bodies continued to drop with Fin Sloan also dislocating his shoulder and Gabe Hills hobbling around with an injured knee.

This meant various players out of position and Tottonians used that to their advantage to break down the right hand side before offloading to the hooker to score their next try. Conversion was successful; 23-15.

Penalties started costing Farnham field position with Tottonians kicking to the corner.

The rolling maul was effective and was slowly creeping towards the line but was adjudged to be stopped illegally and penalty try given as well as a yellow card to Jemi Akin-Olugbade; 30-15.

It was a big blow for Farnham, who were starting to tire. They did, however, manage the sin bin period well and after Fin Basil won Farnham a penalty, the kicked to the corner.

The first rolling maul was stopped, however the second was well drilled with Jonny Vincent diving over in the corner. Conversion successful; 30-22.

Farnham had some hope with the experienced heads of Adams and Brown keeping the team going.

Farnham continued to make some tackles but were eventually broken down when the Tottonians winger broke through to score his second try of the game. Conversion successful; 37-22.

Tottonians broke from kick off with their loose forwards combining well before being just stopped short of the line.

With the Farnham defence in disarray, the Tottonians second row powered over for the game clinching score. Conversion missed; 42-22.

Farnham were now chasing a try bonus point and thought they had it when Dan Sweeney dived over from a rolling maul but was adjudged to be held up.

Farnham kept going though and Harry West found Toby Salmon, who stepped through the defence and avoided the cover defence to touch down in the corner. The conversion was missed but Farnham managed to get something out of the game; 42-27.