FARNHAM 34, OLD TONBRIDGIANS 24

FARNHAM gave a fighting performance against Old Tonbridgians at Monkton Lane to register their first win since being promoted back to London 2 South-West.

Much of the eight-try contest was surreal, though, with the Farnham pack shunting back the Richmond-based side’s eight at will, only to be countered by backs who attacked at searing pace with great hands from deep in their own half.

Given the many times the lead changed, it’s difficult to say which side played the better rugby. The visitors’ cause was not helped when flying full-back Jamie Lavers was seriously injured in an accidental collision with Pete Daly.

The game was switched to the 2nd XV pitch while an ambulance was summoned.

Farnham, who twice lost narrowly to Tonbridgians in the 2015/16 season, made the perfect start. A knock-on set up successive scrums in the OT 22 and at the fourth attempt, Oli Brown spun the ball to Toby Salmon who was held, but then driven over under the posts. Salmon added the extras and it was 7-0 after three minutes.

Tonbridgians showed their mettle from the kick-off with a clinical 70-metre move that put winger Angus Eames over in the corner.

But Farnham’s forceful route-one rugby earned them a 19-7 lead after 20 minutes.

Toby Salmon kicked a penalty to the corner and the lineout and drive and series of back moves ended with Salmon sending James Corlett over under the posts.

Next, Jemi Akin-Olugbade made a powerful break and with Andy Naisbitt, Andrew Bond and Daly keeping the momentum going, Brown shifted the ball to the charging Corlett who scored his second try, this time unconverted.

The visitors roared back with two tries of their own. The electric three snapped into action and No 8 Rory Gower shook off Bond’s last-ditch tackle to crash over.

Again, the OTs attackers cut swathes across the pitch. Their pace was too much for Farnham and Oli Durrell, the other wing, crossed over, with Sam Wood adding the equalising points.

All to play for in the second half at 19-19. But then Lavers felt the full weight of Daly’s 20 stone after the pair had had competed fairly for a high ball and the game was delayed for 20 minutes while help was summoned for the stricken full-back.

Incidents like that do affect players and the game only gradually returned to its former pace. Farnham edged in front with another Salmon penalty and after Tonbridgians had wasted two golden opportunities, the home side’s muscular forward driving was rewarded with a penalty try: 29-19, and surely Farnham had the game won with 20 minutes to go.

Far from being vanquished, OTs replied with a superb try and the words ‘knife’ and ‘butter’ sprung to mind as Moss sprinted over the line. The simple conversion was missed, though, and it was 29-24 with five minutes left.

Ed Weeks, one of the few not to miss a tackle for the home side, claimed the restart and with OTs caught flat-footed for once, he scored in the corner to secure five points that Farnham, on balance, just about deserved.

• It was later confirmed that Jamie Lavers had suffered a fractured vertebra and dislocated two more. Thankfully, he has full limb movement. All at Farnham RUFC wish him a speedy recovery.

• Farnham’s Podium Points: Weeks 3, Daly 2, Salmon.

• Farnham are away to London Exiles this Saturday.