FARNHAM Knights 50, Hertfordshire Cheetahs 7. The Knights entered the play-offs as number one seeds and justified that ranking with a stirring display of power football at Monkton Lane on Sunday.

Gareth Davies ran four touch-downs and 205 yards from just 13 carries, while Nick Roope added a further 112 yards and a touch-down from 11 carries.

The Knights defense pitched in with arguably their best performance of the season against a Hertfordshire team that, although well beaten, showed great spirit throughout the four quarters.

Farnham went ahead on the first offensive play of the game as the offensive line blew open a huge hole in the Cheetahs defense (a sign of things to come) and Davies sprinted 74 yards for the TD. John Symons added the extra point and the Knights led 7-0

Davies scored his second on the Knights’ next possession and the home team led 13-0 after the first quarter.

The Cheetahs kept their heads up and struck back with a score of their own in the second period, but the home side stamped their authority on the tie with further scores.

Davies completed his hat-trick from 50 yards out and Anthony Appleyard, playing on the offense for the first time, ran in from three yards. Nick Roope ran in two-point conversions on both scores and Farnham led 29-7 at the half.

The visitors came out determined to narrow the margin, but the Knights defense were up for the challenge, led by star rookie lineman Luke Bridcutt and Rezz-J Wills who has recently converted to defense.

Back in possession, the Knights clinched their place in the final with a fourth TD for Davies and a 20-yard run by Roope. A high snap prevented the first score being converted, but Roope’s short pass to Ben Poppy added two points to the second score and the Knights led 43-7 going into the last quarter.

With the league’s running clock rule in place because the Knights led by more than 35 points, the fourth quarter was over quickly. But there was still time for quarter-back Oli De Ruyter to get his first rushing TD of the season as he plunged in from a yard. Jon Symons added the final score with the extra point.

The final will be between Farnham Knights and Solent Thrashers on Sunday, September 13 at Leicester Road Stadium (formally Hinckley United Stadium), kick-off at 4pm.

“I’m so proud of the team and my coaching staff,” said Farnham head coach Steve Rains. “This success is the result of hard work and commitment by all concerned. Like most sports, you get the results you want in equal proportion to the effort you put in.

“This will be my sixth Bowl game for the Knights, but for many of the squad it will be their first and I guarantee we are all equally excited by the prospect. When I came back to the club last year, I didn’t think we would get to this point so quickly, but I’m confident we are ready for the final.

“We all know that Solent Thrashers will be coming to avenge our win over them at the start of the season. The work begins now to prepare for the final.”