Old Alleynian 17pts, Farnham 27pts

CUP games give clubs the opportunity to experiment outside the weekly grind of league rugby - and this game was no exception with both clubs mixing their selections because of niggling injuries and enforced absences.

It was a testament to both sides that, in very testing windy conditions, the fitness and skill levels were still of a very high standard. All those that stepped up to the Farnham first XV played their part – some to such an extent that selection for next week’s league encounter at Twickenham will be difficult as chairman of selectors Jemi Akin-Olugbade will have a growing number of battle-hardened players to call on.

Farnham started with Storm Callum behind them and down the slope. The recall of Jack Scullion at full back – he of the thunderous left boot - was a huge bonus to the visitors who immediately went on the attack. Farnham kicked a penalty deep into the Old Alleynians 22 where Jonny Davidson, Toby Comley and Ben Adams orchestrated the throw-in and Farnham were on the march. The maul was held some five metres out but momentum was regained as Oli Brown fizzed a flat pass to fly half and experienced stand-in Andrew Freshwater who put centre James Corlett through a gap. The defence was breached and Farnham led 5-0, with the swirling wind pushing the conversion awry.

Corlett has been in the form of his career over the last three seasons. More than a crash ball centre, he is generally first receiver at kick offs, always makes ground and is elusive in the contact areas. He confirmed his form when freed up by co-centre Eliot Rich, the eventual man of the match, to end a bullocking run, spin out of a tackle and dot down under the posts. Rich’s conversion gave Farnham a 12-0 lead after just 10 minutes.

This double blow stung Alleynians into action, running out from deep through their speedy threequarters, closely supported by their pack. Farnham’s tactics were to blitz defend and put the ball back into the home 22. The defensive drills paid dividends. With covering across the pitch and quickly into the breakdown areas, Old Alleynians’ attacks were effectively stifled.

Farnham are lucky to have a fine crop of back-row players and this game’s trio of Toby Comley, Reece de Gruchy and newcomer Rob Mitchell dominated proceedings at the breakdown. Backed by Jonny Davidson and Ben Adams (both flankers playing out of position) pace around the pitch proved the catalyst for the win.

On the half hour Farnham put together an attack the length of the pitch, with Freshwater and Brown pulling the strings. Reece Stennett stole the hard yards down the left flank before releasing the back row triumvirate. Momentum built through the centres with Rich finding the gap to free up the increasingly impressive Joe Wigmore, who was held up short of the line illegally which resulted in an easy three points for Rich and a 15-0 lead.

Farnham, oozing with confidence, launched a wave of attacks and after full back Scullion had breached the home defences Rich carried on the move to once again free up the flying Wigmore, who cruised over under the posts with the provider adding the extras as the lead became 22-0 at half time.

Farnham knew the hard graft was still to come as they played up the slope and into the incessant wind in the second half. Character played its part together with the confidence to back your drills, but Old Alleynians sensed a turn round in fortunes and drove for the corner. That move was held up but the fly half scampered over, untouched, and calmly chipped over the conversion to cut Farnham’s lead to 22-7.

Old Alleynians had there tails up and they followed up a kick to within 10 metres. Off the lineout the fly half repeated his party trick under the posts, but inexplicably fluffed the conversion as the visitors got within 10 points at 22-12.

Farnham battled up the hill, confining the game to the middle 50 metres of the pitch. The defence was intense with one crash tackle by Eliot Rich staggering the second row bearing down on him.

Farnham then made changes, with Marco Azevado on for the ever-reliable Gareth Yeomans, Alex Chalker for a limping Corlett, Woodhams for de Gruchy, and Ben Brown for Davidson, with the game in the balance.

Old Alleynians had found their stride and were pushing for points, and Farnham were forced to concede a penalty. A lineout and a drive later and Old Alleynians’ number six crashed over for the try to cut Farnham’s lead to just five points, 22-17.

With the clock running down Farnham got back on the front foot. Stennett was bundled into touch inches short of the line and Old Alleynians cleared. Back came Farnham with Chalker on the run, he cut in field to the ever-ready Steve Simmons and the Old Alleynians’ 22-metre line was breached.

The home side barged on through Mitchell and Azevado which saw prop Connor Haynes crash over for an unconverted try which gave Farnham a winning two-score cushion at 27-17.