MILLBROOK 13, FARNHAM 43

TWO bonus-point wins from two matches puts Farnham equal top of London 3 South-West with old rivals Eastleigh.

The first 10 and the last 20 minutes were non-events at Millbrook on Saturday, but Farnham played some stunning stuff in the 50 minutes in between.

However, coaches and the players themselves will only be truly satisfied when they play for the full 80 minutes.

Farnham were largely unchanged from the side that beat Basingstoke, but with Oli Brown unavailable, the versatile Toby Comley slotted in at scrum-half, while Luke Jermyn replaced Rory Pringle on the wing.

Millbrook, promoted from Hampshire 1 last season, kicked off with a stiff breeze at their backs. Experienced fly-half Rich Colmer probed the corners and Farnham’s frustration mounted as raking kicks starved them of possession. Millbrook kicked a penalty and an interception try, converted, gave the Southampton side a 10-0 lead.

But the visitors had had enough and, soon after the restart, went for the corner. A catch-and-drive followed from the line-out and hooker Lenny Jennings was bundled over by fellow front-rowers Jules Joris and Andy Naisbitt.

The backs were also beginning to click. Akin Olugbade broke tackles, James Corlett took the direct route, and Naisbitt sent Comley over the line. Mike Salmon’s conversion transferred the lead to Farnham, 12-10.

Millbrook promptly won back the advantage from a penalty, but Farnham were moving up the gears. Toby Salmon broke tackle after tackle to score under the posts – brother Mike added the extras – and Jermyn gathered his own chip along the touchline to dot down at the corner flag; 24-13 at half-time.

Millbrook, now playing into the breeze, were under the cosh as Toby Salmon took his chance to show his kicking skills. Farnham executed another catch- and-drive and Luke Batten spun out of the maul to open his try-account for the side.

Two yellow cards made the task even tougher for a hard-pressed Millbrook. Comley, pulling the strings at scrum-half, Pete Daly, the two Williams and the rejuvenated James Franklin gave the tiring home pack no respite and Ed Weeks cut back on a direct line to score under the posts. Easy pickings for Salmon and it was 36-13.

Eventually losing patience with the Millbrook pack at the scrum, the referee awarded a penalty try and another Salmon conversion took Farnham’s final tally to 43.

This Saturday, Farnham entertain Bognor in the first league meeting of the clubs (ko 3pm). For details of the usual pre-match lunch, email chairman@ farnhamrugby.org