BOGNOR 7, FARNHAM 62

THIS game was over after 17 minutes – bonus point in the bag and Farnham leading 24-0 against lowly Bognor.

Promoted from Hampshire 1 last season, Bognor entertained the London 3 SW leaders at their quaint ground for the first game of the new year, with champagne and cider featuring in the hospitality.

Coaches Matt Shields, Andy James and Gary Stennet had set Farnham up to run Bognor ragged from the off.

The ball was turned over at the first scrum after a Reece Stennet knock-on and a charge by Pete Daly led to a penalty and an early yellow card for full-back Bates. Daly drove again from the following scrum, freeing up winger Ed Weeks who went over for the first try.

Soon, Oli Brown orchestrated a Farnham break-out. Jonny Davidson found Toby Comley on his shoulder and the try left an easy conversion for Toby Salmon.

Bognor showed tremendous spirit and energy, but their one dimensional route-one rugby was littered with mistakes. Picked off this time by Mike Salmon on the crash-tackle, Daly again made massive ground and a cheeky pop-pass sent Comley over for his second try, Toby Salmon converting for a 17-0 lead.

The yawning gulf between the sides continued to be evident. A sweeping move sent Stennet over in the corner for the bonus point and Farnham felt able to ring the changes, Daly and Ian Williams being replaced by Dan Williams and James Franklin.

Bognor scrapped at every breakdown and tackle, but their physicality made little impression on the visitors who were in almost disdainful mood.

However, on 35 minutes Bognor launched a multi-phase attack and an uncharacteristic slip and missed tackle by Davidson let flanker Blake in for what transpired to be the home side’s only score, the try being converted by Rideout.

Farnham briefly lost their zip and with Bognor up for the contest, handbags started to swing before the timely arrival of half-time.

With the breeze now in their favour, the leaders focussed on expansive rugby, running the ball wide and hard from all angles. Ian Williams barrelled over from five metres – extras from Toby Salmon – and Farnham scored at a point a minute for the rest of the game.

Weeks recovered from a crunching tackle to take another sumptuous off-load from Daly (36-7) and provider turned scorer as Daly crashed over wide out.

More replacements, and Farnham warmed to the task. James Corlett scored under the posts before departing for the sin-bin for retaliating to a cheap shot. Mike Salmon added the extras and, now trailing 7-48, Bognor became increasingly ill-disciplined.

Farnham kept their cool and the tries ramped up. Man-of-the-match Comley, too quick for the home defence, went over under the sticks and, as the clock ran down, Comley released Mike Salmon who also dotted down under the woodwork. Mike Salmon converted both tries to take Farnham’s final tally to 62 points.

It had been a mis-match, with Farnham outstanding for the first 20 minutes and last 30. Credit to both sides for competing in their own styles. Farnham front-rowers Jules Joris, Lenny Jennings and Andy Naisbitt were dominant. Luke Batten and the Williams, Ian and Dan, powered through the match, while back-row men Daly, Comley and Davidson controlled both themselves and the tempo, despite some provocation.

Brown and Toby Salmon pulled the strings and were penetrative, but with pace to burn from Weeks, Stennet and Dave, the kicking option was often not necessary.

President’s Podium Points: Toby Comley 3, Ed Weeks 2, Oli Brown 1.

Farnham are home to Trojans this Saturday, kicking off at 2pm (lunch 12.30).