US PORTSMOUTH 17, FARNHAM 29

THIS notable away victory showed that Farnham are starting to move up through the gears as new players bed into the side.

United Services – aka the Royal Navy – carried all before them in Hampshire 1 last season, winning 18 matches out of 18, and are tipped to do well in the London leagues.

Conditions were perfect at Burnaby Road, with only a gentle breeze to trouble the players. Playing on a 4G (synthetic) pitch for the first time, Farnham knew that pace would be vital and the visitors had that in abundance.

They made early inroads through forwards Ian and Dan Williams as the brothers gained hard yards through the Portsmouth defence.

A multi-phase rolling attack left the US rearguard in tatters and veteran centre Jemi Akin-Olegbade went over for the opening try. An easy conversion for fly-half Elliott Richardson and Farnham had the start they wanted.

US showed resolve and counter-attacked deep into the Farnham half. A penalty was awarded for skulduggery at the ruck and the hosts pulled it back to 3-7.

But the Farnham pack was starting to rumble. The Williams pair, Lenny Jennings (back to the fray at hooker) and a loose forward trio of Fran Meagher, Will Markham and Will Turkington, dominated the breakdown.

A big drive from Dan Williams and the Portsmouth defence was again exposed, allowing Richardson to skip in for the try.

With their defence strong and the attack potent, Farnham should have built on their 12-3 lead, but try-scoring opportunities went begging due to a poor final pass or a bad decision.

White-line fever was rampant.

Farnham should have been out of sight by half-time, but, importantly, the chances were being made. It simply required better decision-making and more clinical finishing.

Skipper Toby Comley and coach Matt Kemp plotted a racing start to the second half and a surge through the middle by props Joris and Coutts freed up centre James Corlett for a break to the line. Richardson added the extras and Farnham led 19-3.

US had yet to visit the Farnham half during this period, but when they did, it was to good effect and an attacking scrum put flanker Davis over under the posts.

With their lead cut to nine points, the visitors learned their lesson and, reverting to the phases, engineered a scything breakout that ended with Akin-Olegbade galloping over in the corner.

Comley and Ed Weeks spearheaded another sweeping attack and the latter scored wide out to stretch the lead to 29-10 and seal a third straight win.

As the clock ran down, Services launched a final assault and scored a carbon-copy of their first try, Davis breaking off a big drive and diving for the line.

This was Farnham’s first match against United Services for six years and the Surrey side were worthy winners of a testing encounter. It was also a chance for Farnham president Geoff Bond to walk down memory lane with old, and some very old, playing friends from his US playing days in the 1970s.

Farnham, despite the pace, support and variety that pleased their followers, will know that they should have scored more tries. More precision and they could be pushing for immediate promotion back to London 2.

With no league fixture this week, Farnham prepare for the visit of unbeaten leaders and local rivals Camberley on October 24. It should be a cracker.

President’s podium points: Ian Williams 3, Will Markham 2, Dan Williams 1.