FARNHAM 32, US PORTSMOUTH 13

FARNHAM effectively won this match with a burst of four tries in 12 minutes at Monkton Lane as they completed the double over United Services in London 3SW.

The Portsmouth side led twice in the first half before Farnham reacted with probably their best spell of rugby this season to put the game out of sight.

Farnham played into a swirling wind in the first half, with the pitch soft underfoot, and a sloppy start by their pack allowed US to open the scoring with a penalty for offside inside the first minute.

The home side immediately replied with a breakout by Dan Williams, supported by the other Williams, Ian, in the second row. And from the ensuing ruck, quick hands at pace from Ollie Brown and James Corlett sent Elliott Rich flying into the corner; 5-3.

The Services, who have been in decent form recently – they lost by only two points to Battersea last weekend – began to pull the strings with the wind advantage and their lightweight half-backs pinned Farnham in their own 22.

Once again, Farnham had trouble at the breakdown and the penalty count mounted until Portsmouth chipped to the corner, won the lineout and went over in the corner to lead 8-5.

Having been under the cosh thus far, Farnham now hit a purple patch that lasted 20 minutes and produced four tries. First, Toby Salmon popped a perfect kick to the corner and, from the lineout, Will Markham and Dan Williams steered the drive for the latter to get the touch-down.

From the restart, Farnham took the play back to the US corner. The drive was held, but Andrew Bond, having his best game of the season, picked up, battled through, was held, recovered, and finally surged to the line; 15-8.

Farnham continued on a roll. Bond again made the hard yards to set up the ruck and a cut-back by Corlett freed up Ian Williams who rampaged down the right before Dan Williams took over and scored the try

Half-time approached with the home pack still on the warpath. Fran Meagher, on for injured skipper Mike Salmon, cut through the first defensive line and on to Trodden, then Jennings and on to Bond on the charge. Quick ball and a delightful chip by Rich sat up nicely for Toby Comley to go over in the corner; 25-8 at half-time after a match-changing scoring sequence.

More fireworks to come in the second half? It seemed so at first as Farnham again broke out to lethal effect and Comley crossed over under the posts, leaving an easy conversion for Toby Salmon.

But the fireworks display was over and Farnham failed to re-ignite. US, playing for pride, battled away to breach a defence that has conceded the fewest scores in the division.

The referee was starting to lose patience at the ruck and breakdown and banished turnover nuisance Bond to the bin.

The Navy-based outfit launched their final salvo and a driving scrum in front of the posts earned them a penalty and three deserved points.

So does the bonus-point system effect a game unduly? Invariably, the collective foot appears to come off the pedal when the four tries are achieved. Perhaps another point for a further four tries would encourage teams to push for the double.

Farnham would like to bottle that 20-minute streak and bring it out for the local derby at Camberley who are seven points clear at the top, with a game in hand, having won 11 of their 13 matches. Farnham are one of only two sides to have beaten them this season – 20-3 at Monkton Lane back in October.