FARNHAM 17, EASTLEIGH 7

THIS winner-takes-all clash was billed as the division’s best attack (Farnham) versus the best defence (Eastleigh).

The game lived up to the hype and Farnham used their larger pack to great effect as they came from 7-0 down at half- time to wear down the visitors and gain revenge for their only defeat of the season.

At the end of an epic clash, watched by a big crowd swelled by coachloads of Eastleigh supporters, Farnham had established a five-point gap at the top of London 3 South-West. With six games remaining, the championship is theirs to lose.

Amidst snow flurries on a bitterly cold afternoon, it was a case of first to blink at Monkton Lane and it was Eastleigh, still unbeaten and with the league’s stingiest defence, who made an early statement.

Pete Daly was allowed no scope for his trademark charges and Toby Salmon’s renowned step inside was made to look rather predictable.

The referee, just back from the Dubai Sevens and now old enough to enjoy a pint after the game, is on the RFU’s development fast track and handled the match with great assurance. The next Nigel Owens?

He certainly interpreted the line-out laws correctly, which nevertheless frustrated the vociferous Eastleigh faithful.

Playing into a bone-chilling northerly, Farnham nevertheless had most of the attacking pressure and Eastleigh only got their noses in front after 32 minutes.

The Farnham defence allowed a huge Pete Noonan up-and-under to bounce. Tom Willoughby hacked the ball on and Stuart Mason dived on it as it crossed the line. Matt Blackman converted and the visitors took a 7-0 lead into half-time. The cushion was far from comfortable, though.

Farnham, now with the wind at their backs, went for the jugular in the second half. Toby Salmon kicked a penalty to the corner and with the line-out won, Eastleigh were driven back at the maul. Another penalty resulted and Toby Salmon got the home side on the board.

Soon, Farnham kicked another penalty to the corner and Daly secured the line-out ball. This time, the powerful drive was collapsed short of the line and a penalty try was awarded, plus a yellow card to Paul Taylor. Easy extras for Toby Salmon and Farnham led 10-7.

No respite for the Hampshire outfit as Farnham came straight back at them from the kick-off. Daly popped the ball to Lenny Jennings who made the hard yards before Oli Brown took over and passed out wide to Toby Salmon.

This time, the jinking inside step created a gap and, as the cover closed in, Salmon found Andy Naisbitt on hand to score what proved to be the match-winning try. Toby Salmon converted for the final points of the match.

Only minutes remained, but rather than throw in the towel, Eastleigh launched a final, ferocious attack. Farnham were battered back, but showed some granite defence of their own – low body positions as marauding attackers were chopped down, with Jonny Davidson and Dan Williams to the fore.

With the clock running down, Farnham won a maul and James Corlett booted the ball off the field to the joy of home players and supporters alike.

Eastleigh’s unbeaten run was over and Farnham had taken a massive stride towards promotion back to London 2. And there was more good news when Farnham learned that Old Cranleighians, head of the chasing pack, had lost 12-13 at home to Trojans.

Jamie Salmon, Farnham’s match day coach, said: “Maybe Eastleigh could not have won the match, but they had the bonus point to play for. The Farnham boys were utterly determined not to let them have it and should be very proud of themselves for the mature way they handled that last period of intense pressure.”

Farnham Podium Points: Andy Naisbitt 3, Ed Weeks 2, Pete Daly 1.

Farnham are away to United Services Portsmouth this Saturday