FARNHAM 44, GOSPORT & FAREHAM 21

FARNHAM gave a dominant seven-try display to run out emphatic winners against Gosport & Fareham on Saturday.

The try bonus point was secured by half-time and, a couple of defensive lapses apart, Farnham controlled the London 2SW fixture from start to finish on a windless, cold afternoon at Monkton Lane.

The G&F defence was well-organised at first and Farnham had only a Toby Salmon penalty to show for 15 minutes of pressure. However, after the visitors had tackled themselves into the ground, the gaps started to appear.

The hefty Farnham forwards began to impose themselves, while the backs were ably launched by Ollie Wetton, standing in for the unavailable Ollie Brown (in Rome ticking an England away game off his list).

The back-three speedsters would see plenty of ball in this encounter. Indeed, it was a flowing backs’ move that saw Ed Weeks held just short before the pack twice picked-and-drove to release Pete Daly for the first five points.

Gosport’s restart found Farnham lacking, however. Full-back Joe Wigmore was stripped of the ball and quick hands put flanker Max Page in under the posts. Fly-half Alex Duncombe converted and the lead was cut to 8-7 after 17 minutes, with Farnham now knowing that any mistakes could be punished.

Thereafter, errors were rare, and fixable. In the next play, Jack Scullion booted a penalty from inside his own half to the corner: inch-perfect. But the lineout failed and Gosport cleared well downfield, only for Weeks to return the ball in hand and after several phases, James Corlett crossed over out wide for another five points.

Duncombe was unlucky with a long-range penalty that clattered an upright and there followed a flurry of tries at both ends as Gosport stayed in contention.

First, Scullion booted a penalty from one 22 to the other and from a successful Farnham lineout and multi-phase attack, Ian Williams crashed over from five metres.

The conversion was again missed, but within three minutes Farnham’s big ball-carriers were punching more holes in the opposing defence. Corlett was held inches short, but James Franklin bulldozed the ball over the line and this time Salmon Jnr kicked the conversion; 25-7 to the hosts.

But Gosport were not finished yet. As the half went into added time, it was their turn to kick a penalty to the corner and win the line-out for skipper Wes Dugan to score a try, improved by Duncombe, and it was 25-15 at the interval.

Any hopes of a Gosport revival were shattered in the first three minutes of the second half, Farnham streaking clear with two converted tries.

Gosport were turned over at their own put-in and with their backs out of position, Scullion had the pace and space to finish in style.

Next, Wetton, who distributed shrewdly all afternoon, saw a gap and chose to pick-and-go. And go he did as he sprinted 35 metres to score under the stick.

Toby Salmon converted both tries and, now trailing 14-39, it seemed Gosport could only hope for a bonus point.

But they responded with some powerful running and prised open the Farnham defence for Dugan to score his second try, again converted by Duncombe, and at 21-34. they yet had a chance.

Farnham, though, had an equally positive response. Toby Salmon broke down the left and as the cover defence closed in, played a delightful pop pass for Weeks to score after an arcing run to the corner.

With maximum points secured, Farnham fell back on well-drilled defence in the last 15 minutes and Gosport were denied a valuable bonus point.

Farnham President’s Podium Points: Mike Salmon 3, James Corlett 2, Reese De Gruchy 1.

• With the league taking a break this weekend, Farnham are next in action on February 17 when they visit old rivals Eastleigh.