FARNHAM 59,

US PORTSMOUTH 10

TOBY Salmon finish with a personal tally of 31 points as Farnham bounced back from last week’s first defeat of the season with a crushing victory over United Services.

The Navy-based side from Portsmouth never gave up the battle and Farnham, in fact, were unimpressive for the first 20 minutes.

However, another bonus-point victory closed the gap at the top of London 3SW to one point, with leaders Eastleigh being held to a 12-6 win by Weybridge. Old Cranleighians are just one further point back in third place and it currently looks like being a three-horse race.

Conditions were perfect at Monkton Lane and Dave Hurley showed blistering pace as he made early inroads, following up with a delicate chip before being hauled down just short by desperate US defenders.

A blood injury to Lenny Jennings soon had Farnham switching Jonny Davison to hooker and Jordan Frost to the back row as the packs pummelled each other.

Farnham at last broke out, with Pete Daly on the charge and offloading to Jemi Akin-Olugbade who went over for the first try, with Toby Salmon adding the extras.

Their defences breached, the Navy side were on the back foot and looking leaky in the bilges. Luke Batten smashed his way over for the second try – Salmon converted – and it was 14-0 after 20 minutes.

With Services hitting a brick wall when they tried to attack, Farnham added a team try through the hands and a final lobbed pass to winger Luke Jermyn who touched down.

The bonus point was secured by half-time, with first-time skipper Ollie Brown setting up Hurley who was unstoppable at pace. The conversion a formality for Salmon and Farnham turned round with a healthy 26-0 advantage.

Nevertheless, some brilliant handling had been interspersed with knock-ons and untidy play. Farnham needed to improve.

US begin the second half in lively fashion, winning a penalty which allowed kicker Carter to open their account.

Alex Chalker, a real flyer from Farnham’s academy, was now on at full-back for Farnham. With Ben Jones, Jordan Frost, Jonny Davison, Ollie Brown, the Salmon brothers and Toby Comley, the home-grown talent is really starting to blossom and the handling was often superb in this half.

With Toby Salmon on the loop, Akin-Olugbade went in for his second try (converted) and then Jason Crabb, back to his best after two seasons out, crossed over under the posts, Salmon’s conversion increasing the lead to 40-3.

The Services pressed again, but it was all hands on deck as Daly spearheaded a rampaging charge-out and Salmon, with an intuitive sidestep, left defenders flat-footed on his way to the line.

Portsmouth came straight back and a pick-and-drive move put Ben Lanigan over under the posts, with easy points for Carter.

But there is no respite for US and the ubiquitous Salmon added two more tries, plus extras, as Farnham stretched away.

Podium points: Toby Salmon 3, Ollie Brown 2, Jonny Davison 1.

* Farnham host fifth-placed Old Tiffinians this Saturday. The match kicks off at 2.30pm and will be followed by Farnham RFC’s traditional fireworks party.