FARNHAM 34, EASTLEIGH 8

FARNHAM reignited their London 3 rivalry with fellow promoted side Eastleigh and finished convincing winners of a game dominated by the two scrum-halves.

The links between forwards and backs and generally the noisiest players on the field, the scrum-halves steer, cajole and verbally bully, and two fine examples were seen at Monkton Lane on Saturday.

Oli Brown, eventually man of the match, was pitted against Eastleigh’s young tyro, Will Rigelsford – a defining contest that set the tone for the match.

Farnham, missing super-heavyweights Pete Daly and Dan Williams, fielded a leaner, faster pack, including new dad Ian Williams, Ben Adams, Jordan Frost and the seasoned Jemi Akin-Olugbade, while Michael Salmon returned from his travels to partner James Corlett in the centre.

After a Toby Salmon clearance kick from halfway and a burgled lineout, Farnham moved the ball through the hands at pace for Elliott Rich to go over in the corner.

A poor restart put Farnham immediately under pressure. Penalty Eastleigh and experienced fly-half Phil Baldwin kicked three good points in the swirling wind.

Eastleigh belied their lowly position as they fought to breach the Farnham gain line, but the home defence was disciplined and well-organised, and that extra pace helped push the visitors back.

Farnham counter-attacked and Brown put Toby Comley away. The flanker had a bit to do, but crossed over wide out for another unconverted try.

The restart went Farnham’s way and James Corlett took play back into the Eastleigh half. Penalty for offside, Toby Salmon kicked to the corner and after Andrew Bond – on for a groggy Jordan Frost – had marshalled a clinical catch-and-drive from the lineout, hooker Lennie Jennings was unstoppable from five metres. Still no joy for Salmon Jnr and Farnham led 15-3.

Eastleigh, with the wind advantage, continued to be frustrated on every surge and Farnham effectively had the game won with their clinical first-half display.

The Hampshire side had to score first in the second half to have any chance, but the Farnham pack bludgeoned their opponents at a scrum, turning the ball over to release the backs and send Rich over in the corner at blistering pace for the bonus-point try. This time, Toby Salmon kicked a superb conversion from wide out and it was 22-3.

Eastleigh then lost skipper Paul Fudio when he was double-tackled and carried off with a suspected broken rib. The changes seemed to galvanize Eastleigh and Farnham were penalised twice in quick succession, full-back Ben Jones departing for the sin-bin after the second offence.

Rigelsford promptly caught the home side napping, took a quick tap and dived over for Eastleigh’s consolation try.

The visitors gamely went for broke, but a speculative pass was picked off by arch predator Comley who ran the length of the field for a spectacular try, again converted.

Farnham went for the jugular and after a disallowed Comley try, Bond crashed over for the final points of the day.

Skipper Andy Naisbitt was particularly delighted with this result – a nice birthday present for his 94-year-old grandfather.

Farnham expect a much tougher test at second-placed Old Reigatian this Saturday, but their squad continues to grow. Don’t rule out a fifth league win of the season.

President’s Podium Points: Oli Brown 3, Toby Comley 2, Andy Naisbitt 1.