CRANLEIGHANS 24, FARNHAM 43

FARNHAM closed in on the London 3 South-West championship with a repeat victory over Old Cranleighans.

But after last week’s cliffhanger in the Senior Vase – Old Cranleighans lost 29-30 after missing a conversion that could have won the game – this was a more straightforward success for Farnham after they had forged an early 19-0 lead.

It was always going to be an After the Lord Mayor’s Show affair after the battle for an appearance at Twickenham. Both sides made changes: Farnham were stronger; OCs were back to their standard XV.

The wind blew across the pitch and the referee, on an exchange visit from Hong Kong, impressed with his accurate and unfussy involvement.

Farnham, with Oli Brown back at scrum-half, drew first blood. Cranleighans’ lightweight pack were shunted back by the dominant front row of Jules Joris, Lenny Jennings and Luke Batten and Pete Daly’s cheeky offload put winger Ed Weeks over in the corner. Toby Salmon landed an excellent conversion.

The visitors proceeded to win a line-out five metres out and although the drive by James Franklin and Dan Williams was initially held, Toby Comley, returning from injury, powered over. Salmon’s conversion attempt rebounded off the post.

The tempo and pace, although high, was nowhere near the same level of the Vase clash, and it looked like being a stroll for Farnham as they scored again. Gabe Hills and Weeks broke out and the ball was moved smartly to the right where Toby Salmon broke the line before sending Dave Hurley over under the posts. Toby Salmon with the extras and Farnham were 19 points to the good.

Years of rivalry, going back to a Surrey 2 title-decider seven years ago, have taught Farnham that OCs never capitulate and with a team of talented footballers, they will always be a threat.

Back they charged and a catch-and-drive from a line-out put them on the board, with Matt Dawes claiming the try and Brett Chatwin adding the conversion.

The action hotted up. After a sustained Farnham attack involving James Corlett, Michael Salmon, Comley and Dan Williams, Toby Salmon squirmed his way over the line and converted his own try; 26-7.

OCs reprised their catch-and-drive move and Ben O’Neill scored a captain’s try, unconverted, to narrow the deficit to 12-26 at half-time.

The first score in the second half would be vital and Farnham, now favoured by the breeze, looked more penetrative.

A huge Toby Salmon clearance put OCs on the back foot and full-back Hills sprinted into the home 22. He was held up, but Cranleighans again went backwards at the five-metre scrum and Daly gathered from the base to send Toby Salmon over for his second try, again converted; 33-12.

The Old Boys gamely ran the ball at every opportunity and were rewarded with a superb try wide out, Benjie Walters crossing over.

At the other end, replacement Jason Crabb twice ruled the throw at line-outs. Daly opted for the scrum and then bulldozed over the line to justify the call from the colossus.

It was Barbarian-type rugby and mistakes were rife as both sides ran the ball. Farnham’s attempt at fast hands on a breakout resulted in an interception by Rich Irving and a try under the posts, with Chatwin converting to keep his side in the game, just, at 24-38.

Farnham’s bench was now empty – Crabb, Ben Jones and Andy Coutts were all on – but the visitors put the game beyond doubt with a break from their 22. Toby Salmon, at his belligerent best, offloaded to Comley who did the rest.

Some argy-bargy followed a penalty awarded to OCs and a retaliatory punch by Batten earned him a straight red card – an unfortunate end to another good game between two closely-matched sides.

With two games to go in this two-horse race for the title, Farnham lead by nine points from Eastleigh who have the easier run-in. If Farnham beat mid-table Battersea at Monkton Lane this Saturday, it will be all over. Eastleigh host second-from-bottom Millbrook.

On April 8, Farnham visit Basingstoke, currently fifth. Eastleigh will entertain basement side Millbrook.