FARNHAM 40, TIFFINIANS 6

WHILE London 3SW leaders Eastleigh were stretching their winning sequence to eight matches – albeit run close, 18-10, by Old Cranleighans – second-placed Farnham were enjoying a late points spree against Old Tiffinians.

For 65 minutes, it was a full-blown battle at Monkton Lane, with heavy efforts at scrum time and the breakdown. But the visitors eventually ran out of steam in their efforts to contain Farnham.

The contest was also noteworthy for its mistakes. Farnham’s performance was littered with errors and, fortunately for them, Tiffinians were equally sloppy with their handling. Four times, their left wing received try-scoring passes and managed to spill each one in increasingly bizarre fashion.

Both sides were willing to run the ball and at the pace the game was being played, errors were almost inevitable. The final pass would just not go to hand.

Old Tiffinians posted the first points from a penalty and that stirred Farnham into a serious response. An attack down the left was thwarted, but Oli Brown tided up on the 22 and quick hands delivered the ball to Jemi Akin-Olugbade who went over in the corner. The conversion attempt slipped past the post in the chilly breeze.

The forward battle continued and the breakdown was an area of concern for Farnham. Turnovers started to mount and the Tiffinian back row was ruling the roost.

Farnham at last found some continuity and Brown found Dave Hurley on his shoulder and ready to score out wide.

But more frustration for the home crowd as Farnham conceded another unnecessary penalty at the breakdown and fly-half Alex Parker again made no mistake; 10-6 at half-time.

Farnham lost Akin-Olugbade to a knee injury, to be replaced by Ed Weeks, and Jordan Frost came on on for James Corlett as the backs were reshuffled.

However, the home side now had the wind at their backs and the territorial pressure was on Tiffinians who beat back attack after attack with a well-organised defence.

Something had to give, though, and when Farnham used Pete Daly as a battering-ram, Tiffinians infringed and Toby Salmon increased the advantage to 13-6.

There was only one score in it and Tiffinians still posed a real threat.

But as the game moved into the final quarter, Farnham at last clicked into top gear. Ian Williams broke through three tackles and sent Frost over in the corner.

The post kept out the conversion and still the visitors would not lie down. After losing Ian Williams to the sin-bin, it was Farnham’s turn for desperate defence as successive penalties went against them. Another attacking lineout was sacked by the massive Daly and Salmon made the final clearance.

For the remaining ten minutes, Tiffinians were put to the sword as the home attackers went from dropped passes and knock-ons to slick passing, close support and superb skills.

Ian Williams was driven over and, straight from the kick-off, Farnham launched a 100-metre dash and the rangy Frost, with his yard-eating strides, put Daly over in the corner. Success with the extras for Toby Salmon and it was 30-6.

The purple patch continued as Daly took the game by the scruff of the neck and a delightful offload by Dan Williams put skipper Brown over for the score.

There was more to come. Luke Jermyn was held up, but Daly and Ian Williams continued the momentum and Dan Williams applied the coup de grâce.

This late scoring spree decimated a fine Tiffinians side who had battled so valiantly for most of the game. It’s hard to say what swung the balance. Tiffinians’ back row had perhaps tackled themselves into the ground.

Farnham podium points: Pete Daly 3, Oli Brown 2, Ian Williams 1.

Farnham were doubtless relieved to deliver a victory that was the centrepiece of a feast fit for club president and former coach and player, Geoff Bond, who was celebrating his 70th birthday. The club had hosted a party attended by over 100 of Geoff’s nearest and dearest on Friday night. A superb fireworks party followed on Saturday.