US PORTSMOUTH 12, FARNHAM 64

THERE was always the danger of a reaction after last week’s crucial arm-wrestle with Eastleigh, but London 3SW leaders Farnham, although somewhat lacklustre, still managed to amass 64 points against lowly United Services.

Coaches Jamie Salmon and Andy James had a struggle to motivate their charges at the delightful old Burnaby Road Ground.

Currently third from bottom, the Services did not pose a real threat, and Farnham knew it. However, after a stuttering start, they sunk the mainly Navy outfit with a salvo of tries early in the second half.

It was like a training run at first and with concentration levels low, coach Salmon soon dispatched Ian Williams and Academy star Jordan Frost to pep up the attack.

It worked, and hooker Lenny Jennings was unstoppable as he went over for the first try. But then a casual long pass eluded winger Ed Weeks and Services scored wide out.

Farnham, still in training mode, rumbled through the forwards, allowing Pete Daly to pick up from the base and touch down.

The visiting forwards again worked up a head of steam and the referee awarded a penalty try for collapsing the maul.

Leading 19-5, Farnham at last put together a multi-phase attack with all players involved and Weeks went over in the corner.

Bonus point achieved, but the play was still untidy and Farnham could only improve in the second half.

The interval ‘discussion’ must have been forthright because Farnham dashed away on the restart, scoring at a point a minute with a hatful of tries.

Some were superb: Weeks’ 20-metre dash after an Andy Naisbitt offload was the pick; some fortunate: Frost’s unopposed run after a wayward pass; others down to sheer power – notably Jennings’ second try of the half to complete his hat-trick. The other scorers were, predictably, Toby Salmon and Daly.

Jennings is playing some of the best rugby of his life and fully deserved his tries. Coupled with his work in the loose and tackling around the fringes, he was the obvious choice for ‘Podium three-pointer’.

Skipper Mike Salmon led the charge from the front. His running yards for the day gives the other players something to focus upon.

This Farnham squad has depth, as underlined by three academy products – Jordan Frost, outstanding at the line-outs and around the flanks; Alex Chalker, busy and accurate at scrum-half; Ben Jones, menacing on the wing. And this season’s recruit from the UCA, Cameron Armstrong, slotted into the back three, giving Farnham yet more pace to be burn.

Credit to the Services for staying in the contest until the second half, scoring their second try with a chip-and-chase when the bounce of the oval ball exposed the Farnham defence.

A fully-focused Farnham would surely have swamped the Navy. But with ten tries, of which Toby Salmon converted five, while still in third gear, it was a decent afternoon out.

Farnham squad: forwards – Batten, Jennings, Naisbitt, D Williams, Franklin, Comley, Daly, I Williams, Trodden, Frost; backs – Chalker, T Salmon, Corlett, M Salmon, Hurley, Weeks, Jones, Armstrong.

Farnham Podium Points: Lenny Jennings 3, Mike Salmon 2, Jordan Frost 1.

* Farnham have a different sort of challenge this Saturday when they visit Hertfordshire side Hitchin in their attempt to reach the final of the London Senior Vase. Hitchin are currently sixth in London 3 North-West.