Depleted Farnborough put up a brave fight
FARNBOROUGH lost 36-21 at Basingstoke II in Hampshire Merit Conties 4B on Saturday.
Farnborough took just 15 players to nearby Basingstoke to face their opponents who had a full bench.
On paper it was a huge disadvantage, struggling to field a full side due to injuries and availability.
Play was even for the first 18 minutes until forward Dan BeersBaker took a forearm to his face and was taken off for a HIA (head injury assessment) and to patch up his nose.
The visitors, now down to 14, struggled to defend and Basingstoke broke through for the first try of the game. Another followed four minutes later and Farnborough were 10-0 down.
Beers-Baker, with nose repaired, returned to the pitch and Farnborough worked hard until Lewis Graves scored under the posts with Hayden Langley taking the conversion. Farnborough’s hopes were dashed though when Lee Tolu was taken off with a HIA failure and
Basingstoke scored again for a halftime score of 17-7.
Worse was to come five minutes into the second half when Richie Graham was lost to a torn bicep, so Farnborough were down to 13.
After another Basingstoke try, Farnborough scored again from a five-metre scrum, Graves taking the ball from the back and slipping forward for the try.
The score was 24-14 with 18 minutes remaining and Farnborough were in with a slim chance, which was remarkable with just 13 men on the pitch. Basingstoke cemented their lead with a try though, but followed it with a yellow card for a high tackle, which evened things up a bit.
Basingstoke were giving away penalties, allowing Farnborough back for more hope and a try from Charles Deltcombe.
At 29-21 and seven minutes left, a win was possible until Basingstoke scored their bonus point try and finished the game at 36-21.
Farnborough host Sandown & Shanklin II on Saturday April 6.