League leaders Farnham earned a hard-fought 36-26 win against Petersfield in Regional Two South Central on Saturday.

Farnham won a penalty early on. The hosts kicked for touch and won the lineout ball ten metres short of Petersfield’s tryline. Through three phases of pick and drive they scored a converted try to the left of the posts through skipper Toby Salmon.

Petersfield responded when Jackson Clark covered 20 metres and offloaded to Franco Tomic, who scored an unconverted try.

The visitors then took the lead when Matt McLean ran an angled line from the left wing to score to the left of the posts. Nick Blumlein added the extras.

Farnham were next to score at the start of the second quarter after Petersfield gifted possession to their hosts. Toby Simmons galloped away and Farnham recycled the ball before Greg Franzel passed inside to Salmon, who bagged his second try and added the extras.

Petersfield’s Oli Hunt then strode 20 metres and offloaded to Tomic, who scored his second try. Blumlein added the conversion.

From the restart Petersfield’s Jack Janaway and Sam Dawes combined to secure the ball and get Petersfield’s line moving. Brad Caparo outpaced Farnham’s defence to score a converted try and put Petersfield 26-14 ahead.

Farnham responded through Jack Haylett’s try, which made the score 26-19 at half-time.

At the start of the second half Janaway received a yellow card.

Farnham made their numerical advantage count when Ben Stevens sprinted on to a pop pass and dotted down in the right corner. Salmon’s conversion made it 26-26.

Salmon then slotted a penalty in front of the posts to put the hosts ahead.

Farnham sealed their win when Jonny Vincent scored a converted try under the posts.

Farnham will host Newbury at Wilkinson Way on Saturday, while Petersfield will entertain Andover at Penns Place.

By Chris Todd & Mike Salmon