FARNHAM 23, OLD CRANLEIGHANS 20

THIS top-of-the-table clash lived up to all expectations and provided a tremendous spectacle at Monkton Lane on Saturday.

It was a classic encounter between the rapier-like Old Cranleighans and the bludgeon of the Farnham pack. The latter would prevail, despite OCs surging into a 17-0 lead in 28 minutes with speedy, open rugby.

The Farnham heavies powered back and by half-time the game was on a knife edge at 15-17.

Conditions were perfect underfoot, although the kickers had to contend with a stiff north-easterly breeze. Farnham were top of London 3SW and third-placed Cranleighans just five points adrift after a six-game winning sequence.

The visitors, promoted last season and holders of the RFU Junior Vase after a famous day at Twickenham in May, were not to be under-estimated. Their spectators are noisy and the players fit and well-drilled.

The league is fast turning into a three-horse race between Eastleigh, Farnham and Old Cranleighans – and Farnham faced a searching examination after so many roll-over victories.

Beset by niggling injuries, Farnham brought in Reece Stennet, Tom O’Connor – home from university – and Dan Williams, and fielded their biggest pack for some years.

And in the first quarter, this looked like being their downfall. Knowing the Old Boys’ ability to move the ball quickly from everywhere on the pitch, Farnham needed to keep the ball, yet played into their opponents’ hands with high up-and-unders, providing free ball for a classy back row.

James McLaughlin and Ben O’Neill were to the fore, making yards of gain, while the heavier and slower Farnham pack was being bested at the breakdown and in support.

Soon, Cranleighans broke directly through the middle and shipped the ball to winger Sam Dorman who timed his run perfectly to score an unconverted try. 0-5.

There was no respite for Farnham as the pacey visitors continued to move them round the field. Dorman went over for his second try, this time converted, and it was 12-0.

When Dorman charged over again for his hat-trick, Farnham realised they had to change tactics.

It was immediately a different story when Cranleighans were confronted with the bulk of Luke Batten and Pete Daly on the charge. Dan Williams then offloaded to the ever-alert Toby Salmon and it was 5-17. The recovery was underway.

Daly, the bearded collossus, was causing havoc, sucking in three or four defenders on each charge. When Daly was held illegally, Toby Salmon slotted over the penalty.

The momentum had shifted. The home forwards fashioned a driving maul, with Andy Naisbitt and Lenny Jennings in control. It was collapsed just short after a 15-metre drive and the referee duly awarded a penalty try. An easy conversion for Toby Salmon and the gap was down to two points after a fascinating first half.

As part of the RFU refereeing academy, the 17-year-old referee was heading for the Dubai Sevens the following day. He acquitted himself well in this game, particularly early in the second half as a spate of knock-ons frustrated players and spectators alike. However, Farnham’s weight advantage was palpable as their pack began to march the OCs eight backwards.

But it was still thrust and counter-thrust, with fitness levels tested to the limit and the result always in the balance.

Farnham took the lead for the first time when an attack caught full-back Blundell-Jones isolated and Toby Salmon kicked straight between the posts.

OCs responded by going through the phases and a lung-bursting effort from their lighter pack forced a long-range penalty and the lead restored at 20-18.

The light was fading and players tiring fast after a brutal contest. Cranleighans kicked a penalty for the lineout, but the ball was snaffled by Daly, allowing a Farnham breakout. Flying winger O’Connor was tackled high, meaning a yellow card for Mark Langford, but OCs cleared their lines and took play back to the home 22.

Farnham turned the ball over, however, and Toby Salmon, Ben Jones and O’Connor took their side to within 10 metres. Dan Williams and Daly then freed up Naisbitt, who had run some 80 metres, and the prop scored the decisive try in the dying seconds, Salmon missing the conversion with the last kick of the match.

Farnham’s fighting spirit had won the day against a multi-talented Old Cranleighans side who never gave up.

Farnham President’s Podium Points: Pete Daly 3, Dan Williams 2, Toby Salmon 1.

* Farnham’s next league match will be on December 10 when they visit Battersea Ironsides, currently fifth in the table.

* Eastleigh regained the lead, on points difference from Farnham, after their 31-3 bonus-point win over Basingstoke.