FARNHAM 50, TROJANS 5

FARNHAM look well equipped to negotiate the long run-in to the end of the London 3 South-West season, judging by the way they crushed Trojans on Saturday.

It was an enthralling encounter at Monkton Lane as a chilly north-westerly, flecked with sleet, whistled down the pitch from the Weybourne End.

Trojans are a conundrum as a side – big, fast and coordinated, with a drift defence that frustrated the leaders for the first quarter.

But the visitors, who were favoured by the elements in the first half, were pummelled for 80 minutes, their inferior fitness levels exposed, and eventually succumbed after a valiant hour of end-to-end rugby.

As soon as the Farnham pack, and the front row in particular, began to wear down their counterparts, the outcome was never in doubt.

For 20 minutes, the game ebbed and flowed. Farnham’s multi-phase attacks, prompted by half-backs Oli Brown and Toby Salmon, were well supported by the back row’s three-pronged marauders, Pete Daly, Jonny Davidson and Toby Comley.

Trojans were on the back foot, committing two or three to every tackle and breakdown. And their tactics of absorbing the pressure and breaking out earned them a surprise lead after 18 minutes. After a wind-blown penalty to the Farnham 22, a catch-and-drive exposed the short side and Joby Kochanowski scored an unconverted try against the run of play.

Trojans were quickly back under pressure. Two clearance kicks were charged down before Farnham burst through the middle and Mike Salmon sent Dave Hurley over wide out, Toby Salmon pushing the conversion just wide.

The skill levels were impressive from both sides, considering the conditions, but Farnham had the edge.

Ed Weeks was bundled into touch, but the referee had spotted an infringement and Toby Salmon kicked the penalty to the corner. At the lineout, Daly freed up Toby Salmon who darted over under the posts. Try converted and it was 12-5. Farnham were on their way.

Trojans continued to beat back attacks that came at them from all directions. Toby Salmon reluctantly hobbled off and on came Jemi Akin-Olugbade to play at centre, with Mike Salmon switching to fly-half.

With the Southampton side again shoved back at a scrum, Daly again made the ball available and after fast hands through the backs, speedster Weeks was tackled five metres short. Daly called the shots at the lineout and Mike Salmon scored a try which he also converted.

The weather became even more spiteful as the second half got underway and it was a chastening period for Kochanowski. Trojans’ try-scorer just failed to catch up with a chip-through and then, when Hurley was halted by Kochanowski in a break for the corner, the referee adjudged it to be a high tackle and awarded a penalty try and a yellow card. Mike Salmon kicked the extras and Farnham led 26-5.

Spurred on by the vociferous, foot-stamping spectators, Farnham upped the ante. The Trojan defence refused to buckle and Davidson and Ben Jones were held up. Finally, though, Farnham trundled over from a five-metre scrum and Daly grounded the ball.

Only then did Trojans wilt and it became one- way traffic. After a phased attack, Comley moved up the gears and dotted down under the sticks; another simple kick for Salmon Snr.

Jules Joris struck a blow for the front row union by scoring the next try, leaving another routine chip for skipper Salmon.

With the light fading fast, the final act again delighted the Farnham camp. The weary Trojans were again battered at a scrum and another push-over try for Daly put up the 50.

Unbeaten Eastleigh, 24-0 winners away to Old Tiffinians, keep the pressure on the leaders, just one point adrift. But Farnham have strength in depth. All Saturday’s replacements made notable contributions. And with Fran Meagher, Jordan Frost, Dan Williams, Cameron Armstrong and Dean Chiverton all playing for the 2nd XV on the adjoining pitch and others coming back from injury, Farnham look to have a formidable squad for the last three months of the campaign.

l With veteran front rowers Barney Hart, Andrew Mortimore and Andrew Rubio tasked with Podium Judge duties, the emphasis was destined to be on forward attrition. Podium Points: Jules Joris 3, Lenny Jennings 2, Andy Naisbitt 1.

* Geoff Bond, Farnham RFC president and former player, offered an interesting insight into life in the scrum. “The front row of the scrum is a dark place. The exponents of these dark arts are not really interested in the game. They watch that from their rear ends. Their understanding is limited. Their sole interest is the scrum. So it was Nirvana when one of their own – Jules Joris – scored. Such trips to the try-line are rare indeed.”

* The league has a rest day this week, but Farnham have an important date with London 3 NE leaders Harlow in the quarter-finals of the London Senior Vase. Kick-off is 2pm at Monkton Lane on Saturday, with the club lunch scheduled for 12.45pm.