FARNHAM 3, TONBRIDGIANS 7 (London 3 SW)

A CLOSE encounter is predictable when third in the league play fifth. And so it proved as Old Tonbridgians edged out Farnham by a converted try to a penalty goal at Monkton Lane.

But the low score belies a pulsating game in which Farnham were a genuine threat for most of the second half.

The dreadful conditions did not help either team. Canals of water flowed in parallel lines across the pitch where the ground maintenance contractors had worked earlier in the week to dubious benefit. During such a wet winter, a morning’s rain was enough to turn the expensively drained pitches into a quagmire reminiscent of the old grounds at Wrecclesham.

The one-team Old Tonbridgians, seeking a fourth successive promotion having been formed as recently as 2009, kicked off into a bitter northerly. The conditions played havoc with handling and the first scrum formed within three minutes.

Ominously, Farnham were unceremoniously bundled back off their ball, setting a pattern for the afternoon as the larger OT pack dominated the set-pieces.

As the two sides slithered in the mud, line breaks were made by the bullocking forwards. No 8 Will Markham for Farnham, Roger Wood and Jamie Rushmer for OTs. Farnham continued to lose out at lineout and scrum, but Mike Salmon was safe under a hail of high balls. His siege-gun boot found distance, but the touchline eluded him.

That Farnham remained in the match was credit to the unbreakable defence of centres Jemi Akin-Olugbade and James Corlett, the unyielding loose forwards – Toby Comley outstanding– and the mature skills of No 10 Toby Salmon who used the wind to good effect.

Following yet another break by Markham, Farnham put together a series of phases, using both forwards and backs to build pressure in the visitors’ 22. Penalty at the breakdown and Salmon slotted the kick in front of the posts.

It remained a slugfest until half-time and Farnham had to be satisfied with a slender 3-0 lead before turning into the teeth of the wind. Worryingly, they lost Markham with a twisted ankle. Fran Meager joined the fray at 7 with Jonny Davidson switching to No 8.

Farnham started the second half brightly and much of the play was inside the opposing 22. As gaps appeared, coach Matt Kemp brought on Charlie Badgery to test OTs out wide. The Tonbridgian pack looked off the pace, but Farnham were becoming frustrated by their inability to penetrate a canny defence and Meager was yellow-carded for over-enthusiastic use of the boot.

It was a telling moment. An injudicious off-load was intercepted and the OTs pack were on the front foot and smelling blood. They pounded the Farnham line with countless phases, sucking in the defence until enough men were committed for the ball to be spun out to No 10 Henry Cunningham who danced to the line unopposed and converted his own try.

Play resumed in the OT 22 and although they lost Corlett to injury, Farnham had an excellent chance to regain the lead. Salmon released Akin-Olugbade out wide and on to Luke Jermyn who streaked down the touchline with Comley in close support. Alas, the final pass was slapped away by the covering full-back and OTs were able to relieve the pressure.

Farnham came again, but overlaps were spurned, the ball spilled or the lone attacker left to the mercy of the OT back row.

The final whistle was greeted by cheers of joy and relief from Old Tonbridgians. They knew how close the game had been and the pressure they had been subjected to.

Farnham showed grit and no little skill to overcome the conditions, but decision-making again let them down.

Farnham’s podium points: 3 Will Markham, 2 Toby Comley, 1 Toby Salmon.