CAMBERLEY 69, FARNHAM 13

THIS eagerly-anticipated London 2 South-West local derby turned out to be an old-fashioned shellacking.

Camberley, ruthless and direct, were simply too strong for a a misfiring Farnham at Watchetts Rec. The one-sided scoreline does not lie – Camberley were that superior.

Farnham are still missing key players from last season’s double-winning squad. The absence of Mike Salmon, Gabe Hills and Dave Hurley in the back division deprives the side of experience and sheer rugby nous.

That plus shortages in the pack and Farnham faced a formidable task against last season’s play-off runners-up.

Despite the humiliating final outcome, Farnham never let their heads drop, but the next few weeks will be a test of their resolve and morale.

There were no immediate signs of the pending hatchet job. Farnham, playing down the slope, were first to threaten, but a penalty took play to halfway and, from the lineout, Mac Duaibe made his first of many breaks and drew the last defender to send James Taylor over for the first try, converted by Tom Dunn.

The next score was not long in coming as Oli Wright cut through Farnham’s defences and a simple pass left brother and skipper, Ash Wright, to score under the posts. Another Dunn conversion and Camberley led 14-0 after nine minutes.

Farnham began to have more of the possession, but on nearly every break-out errors were forced by the Camberley back row and centres.

An exchange of penalties saw Farnham on the board through Toby Salmon, with Dunn replying for the hosts and then adding another three points to make it 20-3.

With Farnham spilling the ball too often, loosehead prop Steve Hastings surged over in the corner and another Dunn penalty stretched the lead to 25-3.

Veteran prop Dan Harvey crossed over wide out and, in the final action of the first half, Mac Duaibe secured the bonus point.

A spirited first 20 minutes of the second half cheered the Farnham supporters. Ed Weeks was held just short of the line after a flowing move. With Camberley at last showing signs of stress, Farnham made good ground with a driving maul and Andrew Bond sent Alex Chalker over in the corner for an unconverted try.

The tiger-striped Camberley side had had their tail tweaked and responded with 15 minutes of direct, clinical rugby, killing the game off with five tries.

Replacement Joe Wood crossed over and Wright scored a quickfire double as Farnham flagged; 55-8 after 64 minutes.

Farnham moved into the home 22 with a good pick-and-drive and bravely went for the five-metre lineout from the penalty. But Camberley again stole the ball and Duaibe ran 50 metres before it was recycled and scrum-half Dunn crossed for another converted try.

Straight from the restart, Oyoni Gbla, who had troubled Farnham all afternoon, made good ground before feeding Hastings and a fortunate bounce allowed full-back Tom Allen to score Camberley’s final try, with Dunn once more adding the extras.

Pete Daly had the last word with a second consolation try for Farnham who were left with much to ponder.

They enjoyed huge success last campaign, but some of the London 3 teams were poor, with only Eastleigh, Old Cranleighians and Battersea providing a serious test.

Farnham, under-cooked and under-strength, had been taken apart by a rampant Camberley.

• Farnham Podium Points: Pete Daly 3, Andrew Bond 2, Jemi Aki-Olugbade 1.

• Farnham are back at Monkton Lane this Saturday, entertaining Old Tonbridgians who are one place below them in the early league standings.