Surrey rivals take the win despite late push at Farnham
FARNHAM welcomed local rivals Guildford to Monkton Lane for the penultimate home game of the season, losing 17-24 their Surrey rivals in Regional Two South Central.
Farnham handed a start to academy graduate Jeff Leybourne while welcoming back Mike Salmon into the centres to add a balance of experience.
Farnham kicked off with the breeze behind them and started the game well. An early defensive set put pressure on Guildford who failed to clear their lines and gave Farnham a lineout ten metres out. The attack was patient but the well-drilled Guildford defence held firm up to the point they conceded a penalty in front of their posts. Farnham took the opportunity to open the scoring with Toby Salmon kicking over for the first three points; 3-0.
The siege gun boot of Jack Scullion gave Farnham great territory with most of his touchfinders gaining some 50 meters. Guildford were winning the set piece battle with their scrum and rolling maul proving very effective.
Farnham had the ball in the Guildford 22 when a turnover allowed Guildford to break out through their backs. The Farnham’s scramble defence was excellent but not good enough to stop the ball from being recycled and moved wide to the left where the full back scored the first try. Conversion missed; 3-5.
Both defences proved hard to breakdown. Guildford thought they had scored their second try however Jack Scullion managed to tackle the player into touch before getting the ball down. Half time followed shortly with all still to play for in the second period.
Guildford kicked off the second half with Farnham eager to play a more expansive game in the next 40 minutes. A kick to the corner presented the home side’s first opportunity but a knock on at the maul halted the momentum.
Guildford made them pay with a maul of their own sucking the Farnham players in before moving to ball wide to score their second try. Conversion successful; 3-12.
Farnham’s efforts to get back in the game was led by numerous carries from forwards Jonny Vincent and Jemi Akin-Olugbade. George Bellamy came on for his first XV debut with Callum Jones and Sam Woodhams also coming on for an impact. Guildford scored their next try with from a rolling maul with 15 minutes to go. The conversion was missed; 3-19 but the visitors now had some breathing room.
However, Farnham did not give up. The ball was moved wide where Max Williams brilliantly finished off in the corner to give Farnham a chance. Conversion successful, 10-19 with eight minutes to play. Guildford responded almost immediately with another rolling maul score which gave them a bonus point try. Conversion missed; 10-24.
Farnham refused to lie down and moved the ball to the left through Toby Salmon and Reece Stennett who released Max Williams who again finished brilliantly and ran the ball under the posts for his second score and the Black & Whites’ treasured losing bonus point. Conversion successful; 24-17 with two minutes to play. The home support urged Farnham on sensing a remarkable comeback. Attacking from their own 22, Mike Salmon broke the line and produced a great offload to find Toby Simmons who stormed into the Guildford 22. Sadly, his final offload didn’t find a Farnham hand.
Farnham are away to Salisbury on Saturday.