Farnham 39pts Effingham & Leatherhead 20pts

FARNHAM made it two wins from two when they clipped the wings of Effingham & Leatherhead at Monkton Lane in London 2 South West.

The visiting Eagles, after a 50-point loss last week, were determined to up the ante.

And last week’s injuries meant a new look second row of Dan Williams and Steve Simmons. The front row of Jules Joris, Jonny Davidson and Lenny Jennings were unchanged and while Toby Comley, Andrew Bond and Reece de Gruchy made up the back row. The threequarters, electric last week, were also unchanged.

The early sparring was followed by a Farnham breakout. Williams used his bulk on the charge and fed Simmons as the pair made inroads deep into Eagles territory. Scintillating play saw the ball moved through the backs, instigated by skipper for the day Oli Brown, as Michael Salmon and James Corlett set up Toby Salmon on the loop for a converted try and a 7-0 lead.

Farnham had started well and the Eagles were fighting hard to stay in touch as Farnham’s pace put them under severe pressure. Doggedly, the visitors inched up the pitch and the pressure won them a penalty for holding on. The shot was off target but the Eagles piled on more pressure from the 22 restart and caught Farnham offside. That penalty was successful and Farnham’s lead was cut to 7-3.

Farnham started to rumble in response. The backs were pacey, accurate and impressive, taking the ball deep into the visitors’ 22. Reece Stennett, at pace on the wing, was felled by a high tackle. A penalty and a yellow card for the Eagles’ Draunidalo followed and Farnham took full advantage courtesy of Toby Salmon’s boot for a 10-3 lead.

The home side were now in top gear. The backs were confident and the forwards impressive in their support play. Farnham swarmed forward through Simmons and Jonny Davidson and Toby Salmon kicked a penalty to the corner. The forwards grabbed the opportunity with a perfect catch - through hooker Lenny Jennings and a soaring Toby Comley - and then the drive. Together with Bond in the driving seat, Joris went over to claim the spoils and the extras were easy for Toby Salmon as the lead was stretched to 17-3.

This was Farnham at their best – expansive, accurate and well supported play at pace. And one-way traffic produced a hat-trick for Comley in just 10 minutes.

The first was a full-pitch break out. Oli Brown passed to de Gruchy, onto Bond who released Simmons for yet another of his bull-like carries toward the line. The ubiquitous Comley was on hand to dot the ball down in the left corner. On 25 minutes, Comley popped up on the opposite wing to complete another flowing move. Full-back Ben Jones ran into the line at pace and on to the equally quick Elliot Rich whose neat off-load put Comley in for the try.

The rout continued as Comley benefited from another catch and drive and the score rocketed to 32-3 and the bonus point was in the bag in just 30 minutes. The Eagles seemed grounded.

However, Effingham were stung into action and battered their way into the home 22. Sloppy defence allowed flanker Tom Hughes to slide over wide out. Some consolation at last for the men in green and yellow with the scoreline standing at 32-8 at half time.

The second half began at the same furious, rip-roaring pace with Michael Salmon and Comley crashing the hard yards through the middle with the back three continuing the moves. Moses Kuralala, on for the injured Buster Bond, smashed over by the posts as Farnham eased to 39-8 with Toby Salmon’s conversion.

But with the contest virtually over, Farnham fell away remarkably. The dazzling period over, the Eagles looked more likely. They were now the hunters and they needed to be.

Swarming attacks into the Farnham half were swatted away as the Eagles battled for pride. Pressure and a mix up in defence saw an interception opportunity gobbled up by centre Ben Harrison who went in under the posts. An easy conversion cut the deficit to 39-15.

With the clock running down after a sleepy half an hour from Farnham, the Eagles mounted a final series of attacks.

The first such attack was repelled at cost as Kuralala was sent to the bin for a neck-roll tackle. The second wave saw flanker Tom Hughes force his way over in the corner for a well-deserved try to close out the scoring.