OLD TIFFINIANS 22, FARNHAM 71

IT looks emphatic, but Farnham had to show character before notching up their 17th win out of 18 matches this season.

Traffic jams all the way to Thames Ditton and Toby Comley, Farnham’s prize racehorse, pulling a fetlock in the warm-up. What else could go wrong?

Old Tiffinians grabbed an early 7-0 lead, but this was the only time they were ahead. Farnham, driven on by Pete Daly and the Salmon brothers, eventually won by a cricket score.

Nearest rivals Eastleigh beat Old Cranleighans and leaders Farnham, with a 19-point cushion over the third-placed side, are virtually assured of promotion from London 3 South-West.

Farnham, already weakened by unavailability and injury before Comley’s mishap, started tentatively in the breezy conditions.

Old Tiffinians are orchestrated by talented fly-half Ali Watkins. Four minutes gone and a Watkins dummy opened a gap for winger Alun Davies to go over in the corner. Watkins added a difficult conversion, but the early lead drew a rapid response from the visitors.

Gabe Hills, back from a two-year sojourn in Australia, set off on one of his mazy runs. Ed Weeks carried it on and skipper Mike Salmon scored under the posts. An easy kick for Toby and Farnham were level.

OTs play an expansive, pacey game, but are also prone to mistakes. Farnham turned the ball over and Mike Salmon broke out to put Toby over under the sticks. More easy extras.

With the breeze at their backs, the Old Boys drove for the try-line. Farnham held illegally, second-rower Ian Williams was sent to the sin-bin and Watkins made no mistake with the penalty; 14-10.

The referee was ruffling feathers and Farnham were frustrated, but Daly charged from the base of the scrum and Weeks was again involved before full-back Hills claimed the touch-down, Toby Salmon stretching the lead to 21-10.

Farnham were beginning to enjoy themselves and fast hands from Oli Brown and James Corlett left Weeks to cross over in the corner.

The visitors were unstoppable at this stage, James Franklin cleaned up at the kick-off, Brown sniped into the 22 and Ian Williams, back in the action, was bundled over by the supporting pack.

Toby Salmon kicked Farnham into a 31-10 lead, but Tiffinians were not finished yet and Parker’s delightful grubber kick set up a try for winger Mellet. Watkins missed the conversion, and Farnham led 31-15 at the break.

Replacement James Trodden made his presence felt in the second half and successive five-metre scrums resulted in a pressure try for Toby Salmon and more extras.

Farnham again went down to 14 – Franklin banished this time. OTs drove from the penalty and Davies scored his second try, with Watkins’ conversion closing the gap to 22-38.

But relentless pressure on Tiffinians’ defence was taking its toll and Franklin, Fran Meagher and Luke Batten were relentless in seeking out the weak points.

Andy Naisbitt was on hand to score after a mass breakout and the predatory Hills dotted down under the posts, with T Salmon converting both tries. Daly then picked up from the base with the inevitable result: 57-22.

The Salmons spearheaded a feast of running rugby in the last five minutes. Mike Salmon scored after another mass charge and after converting that try, Toby provided the denouement with an individual effort, again converted to complete the scoring.

Farnham Podium Points: Pete Daly 3, Michael Salmon 2, Toby Salmon 1.

Farnham, with four matches to go, host Weybridge Vandals this Saturday.

Farnham: Naisbitt, Davidson, Joris, I Williams, Batten, Franklin, Daly, Brown, T Salmon, Hurley, Corlett, M Salmon, Weeks, Hills, Trodden, Meagher, Jones.