FARNHAM 31, BATTERSEA IRONSIDES 10

FARNHAM wrapped up the league championship to go alongside promotion back to London 2, with a fairly comfortable victory over Battersea Ironsides on Saturday.

Ironsides, steely opponents for many years, had come to spoil the celebration party in this penultimate fixture, but Farnham were never going to be denied the one point they needed for the title at their own home.

After a hectic round of away fixtures going back to early February – US Portsmouth, Hitchin, Old Tiffinians, two huge games with Old Cranleighans – Farnham were back at ‘fortress’ Wilkinson Way.

Even with 600 players and parents away in Devon for Farnham’s record-breaking minis tour, a large crowd turned out for the game, including 120 Foundation members, the backbone of the club, who were served lunch by the Under-15s.

Conditions were challenging, with a stiff south-westerly and persistent drizzle, but the back row of Pete Daly, Toby Comley and the returning Jonny Davidson were straight into the fray as Farnham went for the jugular.

Coach Matt Shields had invited his entire family for lunch and the game to see the fruits of his labour, and they were not disappointed.

But the Ironsides, with an Irish spine to their side, had not come to play second fiddle. They flew into the tackle, took the ball at pace and generally made a nuisance of themselves.

The early exchanges set the tone: speed and determination, despite a greasy ball. With six minutes gone, Ian and Dan Williams were on the charge at a five-metre scrum. The maul was reset, the Irons were battered back and Davidson surged over for a try that was converted by Toby Salmon.

Farnham, determined to clinch that point early, were suffocating Battersea in their own 22. The visitors failed to roll away quickly enough. Penalty followed by a line-out, Ed Weeks made the hard yards, and quick hands from skipper Mike Salmon put brother Toby over the line. Try converted and Farnham had whisked into a 14-0 lead.

From the restart, Toby Salmon’s exploratory chip forced Battersea to defend once more. Again, they were penalised and again Farnham drove from the line-out, with Ian Williams and Daly on the rampage. More quick ball and Dan Williams cut back on an unstoppable line to score a classy try. Salmon Jnr converted.

Trailing 21-0, the Irons still refused to capitulate and, driven on by captain Marcus Bailey at blind side, they put together eight phases to release pocket-rocket flanker Kevin Lee for a try – unconverted – as half-time approached.

Three yellow cards in the space of 17 minutes had left Farnham (8 cards all season) nonplussed and shorthanded and a resurgent Battersea put pace high on the list of their battle plan.

But Farnham responded in the best possible way. Oli Brown, dominant throughout, got the ball to winger Ben Jones who in turn released Dave Hurley and, appropriately, it was the club captain who crossed over for the try that secured both the bonus point and the title.

Only then did the game develop some niggle and Toby Salmon, all 5ft 9ins of him, was sin-binned for a high tackle. Ironsides had the momentum, deploying their wingers with cross-field kicks, and a yellow card for Jemi Akin Olugbade reduced Farnham to 13 men.

A lengthy injury break allowed Farnham to catch their breath. The visitors were shunted back, Comley broke out with Davidson in support, and Weeks went over in the corner to put the seal on victory.

In injury time, Lennie Jennings, Farnham’s combative hooker, was banished for tackling without using his arms and the Irons salvaged some pride with a try by James Ratti.

Farnham Podium Points: Daly 3, Dan Williams 2, Mike Salmon 1.

* Farnham make the short trip to Basingstoke for their final league fixture this Saturday.

Then there is the small matter of Farnham’s National Senior Vase home semi-final against Saltash on Saturday, April 15 (ko 2.30pm). The season goes on.