FARNHAM Rugby Club Warriors have emulated the achievement of their 1st XV last season by reaching a cup final.

The club’s 3rd XV fought back from 0-17 down against Teddington III to secure a superb 24-22 victory at Monkton Lane and book their place in the final of the Surrey RFU President’s Chalice.

The match was a tussle between Farnham’s heavier forwards and Teddington’s faster backs.

The Warriors eventually showed the sort of team-work and spirit that had earned them fourth place in the Surrey Combination 1 South-West.

The signs were ominous as Teddington powered into a 17-0 lead, but stand-in skipper Richard Varley rallied his men.

With a healthy lead, Teddington decided it was time for champagne rugby and started to fling the ball about. This proved their undoing as man-of-the-match Pete Marsh picked off a wayward pass and sprinted 60 yards to score under the posts. Farnham were back in the game at 7-17.

The balance of the game shifted in the second half as Farnham’s pack turned the screw. The considerable bulk of Dave Stent and Phil Francis shoved Teddington back and, from a lineout, with the ball in the sure hands of Francis, the home pack trundled over the line; 12-17.

The Farnham forwards had kept their team in the game thus far, but now the backs showed their flair. George Northwood gathered his own chip over the top and offloaded to Marsh who dashed in under the posts. With the extras, Farnham led for the first time, 19-17.

Back came Teddington, attacking in waves, but Warriors tackled everything and when the frustrated visitors conceded a penalty for crossing, Varley’s boot extended the lead.

As both teams tired, that man Marsh danced his way through to score out wide and complete his hat-trick. It was 24-17 with only minutes to go.

Cool heads were required, but Farnham faltered at that point and the Teddington backs hit their straps to score a fine try.

The conversion would level the scores and take the game into extra time. Good contact was made, but the ball hit the upright, bounced back, and the final whistle blew. Unbridled joy for Farnham, desperation for Teddington.

The Chalice final will be played on Saturday, May 5 at Esher RFC.

Warriors squad: Guy Williams, Ryan Goodwin, Lee Cobb, Phil Francis, Dave Stent, Ben Goscomb, Ben Platfoot, Ed Birch, Ryan Gregor, Richard Varley, Fred Ware, Adam Hailstones, Sam Thomas, Pete Marsh, George Northwood, Mike Richards, Walid Durani, Ben Brown, Grant Tubridy, Tom Chandler, Will Freeman.