FARNHAM 20, CAMBERLEY 3

FARNHAM closed the gap at the top to just one point after ending Camberley’s 100 per cent record in London 3 South-West.A genuine test of how much Farnham have improved, Saturday’s local derby at Wilkinson Way was a fine advertisement for club rugby, with both sides showing total commitment for the 80 minutes.

Farnham eventually ran out 20-3 winners and secured a bonus point. But boy, was it a tough contest?

Full credit goes to Camberley’s young side who had previously reeled off four maximum-point wins. Like many of Farnham’s squad, they had come through the junior and academy ranks to the first team.

In perfect conditions, the game started with initial sparring before Camberley, spearheaded by wing Mac Duabie, broke out through the phases, to be met by Farnham’s bristling defence.

After 15 minutes and an exchange of unsuccessful penalties, it became clear that it would require something special or unusual to end the stalemate.

That came when Farnham were awarded a penalty on the visitors’ 22. Will Markham took the quick tap-and-go and, when held, delivered a superb off-load to Andy Naisbitt who was unstoppable from five metres out.

No conversion and Farnham erred at the restart, allowing Camberley to swoop and drive towards the try-line. The defence held and the tackles ramped up in intensity. Time and again, Camberley pressed, only to be denied by the bear-pit tackling of Oli Brown, Mike and Toby Salmon, and James Corlett.

However, there was some reward for Camberley as the referee spotted an infringement and full-back Dan Bright kicked what transpired to be the visitors’ only points of the day.

It had been a torrid first quarter for Farnham who, under constant pressure at the scrum, suffered early injuries to prop Lenny Jennings and Ian Williams in the second row. Yet replacements Andrew Coutts and Dan Williams were to play a key role in Farnham’s eventual dominance at the scrum, allowing Naisbitt to relocate to his favoured loose-head side.

Camberley were enjoying more of the ball at the line-outs and continued to go through the phases, but Farnham’s unyielding defence put increasing pressure on the opposing fly-half and centres.

Handling errors started to punctuate the game and Farnham were relieved to hold their slender 5-3 advantage at half-time.

The tension was palpable at the start of the second half. It seemed to be a case of the first to blink as attacks swung from end to end.

Will O’Meara initiated a fine move by Camberley, while centre Tom Allen knocked on with the try-line beckoning.

Such was the pace of the game, that fatigue began to effect the decision- making.

Then came the key moment of the game. Camberley attacked and spun the ball wide, only to see the floated pass intercepted by Toby Salmon who sprinted 80 metres to score in the corner.

Now leading 10-3, Farnham went for the jugular and camped down in the Camberley 22. Darting in from the wing, Ed Weeks gave the ball to hooker Jonny Davidson who shipped it onto Markham and the number 8 trampled over and under a pile of bodies to score the decisive try, again unconverted.

Back came Camberley, pushing for the line again. Another interception for Farnham and Toby Comley ran the length of the pitch to touch down out wide, sealing the four-try extra point.

Camberley fought to the final whistle, but this was a superb win for Farnham, underpinned by rugged defence and their revamped pack. This side will take some beating in the league if these attributes are maintained.

No league games this World Cup weekend, but all are invited to enjoy the Australia versus New Zealand final on two big screens in the clubhouse.

Podium Points: Andrew Coutts 3pts, Will Markham 2pts, Toby Comley 1pt.