Farnham 32pts, Battersea 28pts

THIS was one of the great rugby days as Farnham’s Monkton Lane home hosted a top-of-the-table clash against fellow unbeaten London 2 South West rivals Battersea Ironsides.

After the controversy of last Saturday’s game against Old Reigatians, the RFU appointed a senior National 3 level referee to officiate this vital game – and he was needed. This was a full-on battle between two talented, fit, committed teams.

Cold, clear, still conditions greeted the players and a physical arm wrestle quickly began to emerge with both sides imposing their style on the game. The Irons had their tried and trusted pick and drive, which was relentless, direct and swept all before them, but the Farnham defence was resolute.

By comparison, Farnham were broader in their approach marshalled by their conductor at scrum half, Oli Brown. They played a more expansive game with aggressive running from all points. Man of the match No8 Liam Welch and flankers Toby Comley and Andrew Kidd were outstanding.

Farnham fly-half Toby Salmon was everywhere probing, teasing and frustrating the visitors. And after a period of pressure, Farnham won a deserved penalty and Salmon converted for the opening points as much of the early pressure was created by the backs.

Full-back Jack Scullion is proving a hugely successful weapon in the Farnham armoury. He is blessed with a huge left foot howitzer and has deceptive, rangy pace that is confusing to the defenders and penetrating. The visitors were hemmed in with Scullion’s kicks chased down by Farnham wingers Reece Stennet, Tom Cerullo and centres Michael Salmon, and an impressively revitalised James Corlett.

Another huge penalty from Scullion put the Irons in retreat. Desperate defence led to an easy penalty decision for the referee which Salmon duly converted for a 6-0 lead.

Farnham capitalised on further territorial pressure with a massive line-out catch and drive from the visitors’ 22. Ben Adams steered the controlled, rumbling maul from the back and went over for a well-deserved try. The easy extras for Toby Salmon saw Farnham extend their lead to 13-0.

In the build-up to the score, Jordan Frost picked up another injury after a productive opening 30 minutes and was replaced by young Michael Mizzi.

But this game wasn’t all one-way traffic. The Ironsides’ pick-and-drive tactics began to gain momentum, eating up the yards through their back row of Martin, Burman and O’Riordan, steered by talented fly-half and captain Charlie Stuart. The pressure told and a penalty made it 13-3.

From the kick-off Farnham, on the re-bound, drove down the left wing and from the resultant maul the ever-present Liam Welch broke away, swerved through the defence and went in for the try to pad Farnham’s lead at 18-3.

Back came the Irons. Scullion was penalised and yellow carded for killing the ball under the home posts and easy points for Stuart made it 18-6 at half time.

Neither side was going to lie down and the Irons’ half-time talk proved effective as they opened up with a drive down the left wing, earning a penalty from which the ensuing lineout produced a powerful catch and drive and a converted drive as the visitors cut the deficit to 18-13 with the conversion.

Farnham bounced back with another surge and forced a penalty. They kicked for the corner where the catch and drive put in the ageless Jules Joris under the posts, with easy extras from Toby Salmon as Farnham eased away again, 25-13.

The momentum continued to swing first to Farnham with props Azevado and Haynes on the charge as first receiver then back to the South London boys with their relentless direct pick and drive, and another penalty was conceded by Farnham which was slotted over by Stuart to cut the gap to 25-16.

This was going down to the wire and the final furlong proved to be a lengthy one as the light faded and the murky conditions added to the atmosphere.

Farnham were penalised for killing the ball and the Ironsides opted for another catch and drive. Well organised, they rolled the maul infield to score close in, giving kicker Stuart easy extras to move within a score at 25-23.

Both sides sensed victory and the tension and effort began to mount as cramp and sheer exhaustion began to show. But Farnham took their turn to attack and another catch and drive opened up the visitors’ defence. Toby Salmon simply doesn’t miss these opportunities and scythed through the defence to dive in under the posts for a converted try and a crucial 32-23 lead.

Back come Ironsides with wave after wave of pick-and-drive attacks, and with time running out they scored a try in the corner with just enough time for the restart trailing 32-28.

Receiving the kick-off, the Irons drove upfield with accurate and relentless phases. As they battered at the try line, extra time mounted up. For the umpteenth time, the visitors picked and drove. The attack was relentless and, seemingly, interminable, but finally Ironsides erred as an attacker knocked on.

Tomorrow, Farnham entertain London Exiles, who currently sit third in the league, in another chance to put down their marker as the team to beat in London 2 South West (kick-off 2.30pm).

*On Sunday, Farnham Falcons play Basingstoke in the first full 15-a-side women’s game at Farnham in recent years (kick-off 2pm).