Handling errors contribute to Farnham’s downfall

A MUCH-CHANGED Farnham side lost 36-22 at Chichester on Saturday in Regional Two South Central.

Chichester had 10 points on the board within 12 minutes. The first three came from a well taken penalty, then a converted try was scored after Farnham had battled forward with effective attacking phases marshalled by Sam Jones. He mixed strong carries from the forwards, led by heavyweights Matt Chapman and Oliver Banks-Thompson, with darting runs from the backs – debutant Michael Bates catching the eye. However, the ball was spilt, allowing a huge boot in behind the Farnham attack. The ball bounced kindly for the chasing Chichester player who was in for the try.

Farnham struck back almost immediately. A good chase from the kick-off produced a lineout on the Chichester 22. The hosts infringed and Farnham took a quick tap. Chichester had not retreated 10 metres, so Farnham took a tap penalty again and flanker Josh Watson was over wide out. Alex Chalker had the kicking duties and his effort shaved the posts; 10-5.

Debutant Archie Healy at scrumhalf had a good game, however he struggled initially to allow for the stiff breeze with his box kick. The net result was Farnham failed to clear their lines at the restart.

They eventually worked their way up the pitch only for a knock-on to produce the inevitable down-field hoof that put them under the cosh once again, saved by a brilliant turnover by debutant Daniel O’Keeffe. The wind caught Jones’ clearance and it failed to make touch. Farnham were perhaps too confident that it would and the chase was not all it could have been. The lively Chichester number five then burst through and made the most of the slope to gallop in under the posts.

Farnham retrieved the restart and threatened, but history repeated itself when a long raking return kick by Chichester saw their fast Fijian out-sprint the turned Farnham defenders to dot down.

The first period ended in typical fashion. Farnham pressed with ball in hand, but knocked on. Chichester broke out, Farnham coughed up a penalty for not releasing and from the ensuring 5m lineout, the pick and drive put Chichester over; 29-5.

Farnham had a lineout deep in the Chichester 22 within minutes of the restart. Hooker George Haylett was accurate all afternoon, yet on this occasion the ball was overthrown – or was it? Banks-Thompson at the tail was quickest to react and snaffled possession, set up the ruck and after a couple of punches Watson was over for his second. Chalker was accurate from the tee; 29-12.

The Black & Whites pressed again. Full-back Reece Stennett joined the line at pace and the ball was fizzed wide – only to fall into the hands of Chichester’s Fijian who sprinted in from 80 metres out; 36-12.

Jones restarted deep and the Chichester number nine struggled with the breeze as Watson had done in the first half. His box kicks went high but made no ground. Chichester were caught offside and Jones kicked for the corner. The lineout was good, the maul well set and from its base Watson plunged over to complete his hat-trick. Chalker’s effort fell wide; 36-17.

The final minutes saw both sides close to scoring. Debutant Joe Marsh, on for winger Rian Stutley, was almost clear only to be near decapitated by his marker. The miscreant was shown a yellow card and Chichester played the final minutes with 14 men.

Farnham pressed and Chichester repeatedly offended. Jones’ penalty kicks hit the 5m line twice only for the attacks to be rebuffed. At the third attempt the ball was kept with the forwards who picked and drove to create space for Jonathan Vincent to go over out wide.

Chalker’s effort from the tee fell short; 36-22.