FARNHAM 18, KCS OLD BOYS 22

FARNHAM and KCS Old Boys played for pride and league position at Monkton Lane on Saturday.

At the start of the day, Farnham were fourth in London 2SW, their highest ever league position. KCS were just two points behind in fifth.

By the end of the day, the sides had swapped places, the lead having changed three times in a game that was as close as the score suggests.

It all went down to the last five minutes. Farnham, who had been poor in the first 40 minutes, had battered away at the try-line with a series of multi-phase attacks, spearheaded by centres James Corlett and Mike Salmon.

The visitors’ line stayed secure, but the referee, who had a good game, awarded a penalty to Farnham.

With the score at 15-17, there was only one decision. Toby Salmon bisected the posts and Farnham looked to have nicked the game by the narrowest of margins, 18-17.

But they spilled the restart, allowing KCS one more opportunity. The Old Boys rembered what had served them so well earlier on and their forwards stole yard after yard until Guy Tyler fell on the ball for the winning points.

It had started so well for the home side as they powered through the KCS defence from a lineout move, the Salmon brothers finally sending the lurking Elliot Rich over wide out with just two minutes on the clock.

KCS had an immediate response as fly-half and captain Tom Dugarin, who put in a flawless shift, pushed Farnham back into their 22. From the line-out, the Old Boys laid down a marker with successive pick-and-goes, low to the ground and designed to wear down defenders. Closer and closer, until the final slump by Joe Mason.

Farnham, missing some heavyweights, lacked the bulk to combat the ongoing mauling threat.

Toby Comley, Ben Adams and Reese de Gruchy are built for a fast, loose game, not for the debilitating nitty-gritty. It was going to be a long afternoon.

In other areas, Farnham did not help themselves. When they tried the pick-and-drive, KCS back-row predators Nicky Rawlinson and Rory Buckingham enjoyed rich turnover pickings.

Farnham were outgunned in the close, gnarly exchanges. On 22 minutes, a penalty was launched into Farnham’s 22 and everyone knew what was coming. After an early ‘sack’, the KCS forwards regrouped and trundled towards the line.

Nothing could stop them and No 8 Rawlinson, although tackled, managed to ground the ball behind his head; 10-5.

Another KCS penalty, more successive pick-and-drives and a desperate Farnham collapsed the maul. Penalty try and, at half-time, the Old Boys were well and truly in the driving seat, 17-5.

However, what was said in the dressing-room had an effect and Farnham showed their character in the second half, coming right back into contention.

Now, KCS were repeatedly pushed deep into their own 22 and it was the home team’s turn to pick and drive.

Penalty and yellow card for Buckingham and, from the next attack, Toby Salmon scurried over for a well-worked try, giving himself a simple conversion.

With the lead cut to five points, KCS fell back on defence and held firm until the hour mark.

Then another Farnham attack led to a deliberate knock-on and Toby Salmon’s boot reduced the deficit to two points.

As the clock ran down, the pace, if anything, increased and KCS cracked under pressure to yield another penalty. Farnham ahead and on the brink of a dramatic victory.

But then came the painful denouement as the KCS heavies had the last word.

Farnham’s home legaue programme had ended with the narrowest of defeats.

• In their final two league fixtures, Farnham are at Winchester on April 7 and then visit Andover on April 14. Both teams are struggling to avoid relegation.

Farnham President’s Podium Points: James Corlett 3, Joe Wigmore 2, Ben Adams 1.