OLD TONBRIDGIANS 20, FARNHAM 40

FARNHAM won a bruising contest against Old Tonbridgians in their first game of the long London 2 South-West season.

It was a promising result against a side that have always troubled them – Farnham have won only once in six previous league fixtures – but the visitors left with a sizeable injury list.

Playing at Wimbledon RFC’s ground, Farnham were driven on by new skipper Pete Daly and ‘vice’ Olly Brown.

With just six minutes gone, centres James Corlett and Michael Salmon closed down the OTs midfield and Toby Salmon scored with a controlled hack-and-chase. His conversion attempt from wide out clipped the post.

The game was beginning to take shape: OTs dominated the forward battle, Farnham were sharper and more aggressive in the back divisions.

Soon, Daly and Toby Comley freed up those backs and it was Comley himself who went over in the corner. This time, Toby Salmon converted and it was 12-0.

Seemingly in control, Farnham then lost Ben Adams to the sin-bin. Their outnumbered defence was overcome for the first time and Jamie Rushmere powered his way over for an unconverted try.

Farnham then had a double setback as first Jordan Frost and then Andrew Bond went off with head injuries, Frost taking no further part in the game.

Rushmere received a reciprocal card for stamping and Farnham, in turn, made the most of the one-man advantage as winger Elliot Rich flew over in the corner. Salmon Jnr kicked a superb conversion and Farnham led 19-5 at the break.

Soon after the restart, a swarming attack led by Daly and Bond and carried on through Reece Stennet and Jonny Davidson ended with a try for the rampaging Michael Salmon.

Brother Toby added the extras (26-5), but the points came at a cost with Daly and Adams injured in the move. On from the bench came Olly Banks-Thomas, Ed Weeks and Moses Kuralala, Farnham’s new Fijiian player. The reshuffle put Lennie Jennings at hooker, with Banks-Thomas and Kuralala in the front row and Weeks on the flank.

Tonbridgians scented blood, however, and after a series of driving mauls, second row James Lineham broke away to score a deserved try; 10-26.

Farnham persevered with their pressure game and another kick-and-chase gave Rich his second try, Salmon’s boot making it 33-10.

A penalty gave Farnham the opportunity to kill the game off. They duly drove into the home 22 and with the support up fast, Corlett went over for the clinching try.

It wasn’t quite all over and Tonbridgians mounted a last series of challenges up front to secure a worthy bonus point with two more tries.

Farnham will keep their fingers crossed over the several injuries ahead of Saturday’s home fixture against Effingham & Leatherhead. Effingham lost 7-54 to Eastleigh on Saturday.

Farnham President’s Podium points: Eliot Rich 3, Toby Salmon 2, James Corlett 1.