HASLEMERE II 12, FARNBOROUGH II 17

HASLEMERE Rugby Club fielded a proper 2nd XV for the first time this season for a home friendly against their old friends from Hampshire.

With an age range of 40 years between green-behind-the-gills flanker Sam Woodger and evergreen Peter Stafford, and four props coming out of the woodwork, there was an interesting mix of experience and ability in the home side and an equally broad range of sizes and shapes in the visiting team.

Farnborough started well and their much heavier pack was soon applying pressure, although the strong wind was a factor throughout.

Boro soon scored with a pick-and-go, followed by their only conversion. Haslemere’s strength was the speed of their backs, with notable performances from 19-year-old wing Max Witney and veteran Fred Ruffe at full-back.

But ’Mere’s first try was a close-range effort by tighthead prop Stuart Ephgrave. This was soon cancelled out as a beefy prop barrelled over for Farnborough who took a 12-5 lead into the interval.

Now with the strengthening breeze, Haslemere played straight to their backs, with scrum-half Steve Simons providing a good service behind his outweighed but unbowed tight five of Ephgrave, Rob Jones, Chris Morris, Ross Taylor and captain Nathan Scott.

Lack of fitness and injuries started to take their toll and No 12 Jack Curnow had to switch to 10 and then 9, earning a man-of- the-match nomination for sheer versatility.

A well-stocked bench allowed rotation and although the visitors scored an unconverted try, ’Mere were getting the measure of the tiring Boro pack.

Haslemere inched forward through several phases and Sam Powell dived over for their second try.

But Haslemere ran out of time and Farnborough hung onto their five-point advantage.

Haslemere are keen to recruit new members to ensure a regular turn-out for the resurgent 2nd XV and will welcome returning players of all ages and abilities. See www.haslemererugby.com for details.