OLD REIGATIAN 43, FARNHAM 19

OLD Reigatian were not joint London 2SW leaders for nothing and their speed and slick attacking rugby proved too much for promoted Farnham at Park Lane on Saturday.

The Reigate club’s impressive new facilities were matched by a superb playing surface.

The home side had pace to burn in their back division. Oli Wall streaked past opposing wing Elliott Rich to score the first try and fly-half Joe Gale added a fine conversion.

Harrison Mitchell went over in the corner from a well-worked scrum (12-0) before Farnham broke out of their half and began to put together some phases.

James Corlett and Ed Weeks burst through the centre, Toby Comley made an elusive run and skipper Andy Naisbitt was perfectly positioned to poach the try.

A difficult conversion was missed by Ben Jones, taking over kicking duties in the absence of the injured Toby Salmon. However, Michael Salmon was back at fly-half in what looked a powerful Farnham midfield set-up.

However, Reilly Talbot, Reigatian’s main crash-ball specialist, freed up Luke Martin and although Farnham held the drive, Talbot followed up to score by the posts. Gale added the extras and Farnham already had a mountain to climb.

Worse was to follow as replacement centre Toby Collister threw an outrageous show-and-go to release Wall who went over for his second try: 24-5.

But Farnham responded gamely before half-time. Salmon kicked a penalty to the corner and after Ben Adams had secured the lineout, Pete Daly crashed over for a try that was converted by Salmon Snr; 24-12 at the break and Farnham were still in it.

The next score was going to be vital. Farnham, having their best period in the match, drove to within five metres before Reigatian cleared their lines.

Then Oli Brown, Farnham’s compact No 9, was yellow-carded for a tip tackle on Mark Chesterton, Reigatian’s towering No 8, and with the visitors stretched, Will Godwin was in for a try that Gale converted: 31-12.

Reigatian were rampant and the electric Mitchell scored wide out. Gale nailed the kick and when Chesterton battered his way over the line, the hosts were out of sight at 43-12.

Farnham salvaged some pride with a gutsy 10 minutes of sustained pressure and were rewarded when Comley and Corlett combined to put full-back Jones over, Salmon converting for the last points of the day.

Weeks thought he had scored a losing bonus-point try, but the referee was unsighted and Farnham were denied the points.

Farnham are back at Monkton Lane this Saturday and face another stern test of their mettle against third-placed Twickenham RFC.

President’s Podium Points: Toby Comley 3, Oli Brown 2, Reece Stennet 1.