FARNHAM 41,

LONDON EXILES 22 (London 2 South-West)

FARNHAM’S first league win of 2018 came in flamboyant style against close rivals London Exiles at Monkton Lane on Saturday.

Exiles started the game seven points ahead in fifth place, but by the close Farnham had closed the gap to three after amassing 41 points, their six tries being scored by different players – Pete Daly, Toby Comley, Jordan Frost, James Corlett Jules Joris, and Ian Williams.

With skipper Andy Naisbitt, Elliott Rich and Andrew Freshwater all injured, Lenny Jennings switched to prop and Toby Salmon returned to 10. Ian Williams moved into the second row and Joe Wigmore played wing, while debutant Ollie Wetton joined the replacements.

Farnham made the brighter start and took the lead when a powerful scrum led to stand-in captain Daly blasting his way over. The home defence looked vulnerable as Exiles showed their attacking class, but then a huge clearance kick by Toby Salmon opened up some space and a superb chase by Farnham put Comley over for the second try.

Again, Exiles came straight back and found an excellent line to score a converted try, but those were to be their only points of the half as Farnham started to turn the screw.

On 20 minutes, another solid midfield scrum set up Toby Salmon for a half-break and the ball went from side to side before deft hands from Williams put Frost in under the posts.

The move of the day followed as an audacious Daly crossfield kick and good support play released Corlett who crossed over for the bonus-point try.

Good carries from heavies Williams, John Davidson and, in particular, Jennings battered the visitors’ defence. Eventually, Ben Adams marshalled a five-metre lineout and Farnham swarmed over the line, giving Joris his second try of the season and a 33-12 lead at half-time.

Farnham were confident enough to replace impressive scrum-half Ollie Brown with Wetton for the second half

The re-energised Exiles enjoyed a period of pressure, but no points resulted and Farnham extended their lead with a penalty in front of the posts and then yet another try as Toby Salmon sent Williams over in the corner after more strong carries from the forwards and a break by Wetton in the 22; 41-12 with 25 minutes to go.

Farnham then seemed to switch off and Exiles forced their way back into the game. Their scrum-half was hauled down just short of the line and Wetton was adjudged to have infringed: yellow card and Farnham under the cosh.

A well-worked backs move gave Exiles a try in the corner and fast hands from the restart put their other wing over for the four-try bonus point.

The Londoners kept up the pressure, but that was the end of their point-scoring as Farnham regrouped in defence to close out the game.

• President’s Podium Points: Toby Salmon 3, Ian Williams 2, Jules Joris 1.

• Farnham had more cause for celebration when news came in that their senior coaches, James and Ross Chisholm, had both scored tries in Harlequins’ Champions Cup victory over Wasps, with Ross being awarded Man of the Match.

• Farnham turn to cup action this Saturday and visit Charlton Park in the third round of the RFU Intermediate Cup. Charlton, currently fourth in London 2 South-East, were beaten finalists last season. Camberley are home to Woodford in their third-round tie.

• Farnham RFC certainly lived up to their community club status last weekend, with an overall record of played 16, won 9, lost 7, points for 489, points against 298.

These were the results of competitive games played over two days by Farnham sides from U12 to 1st XV. On Sunday, over 100 youngsters aged six to ten played in Farnham colours at Alresford Rugby Club.