FARNHAM 26, HAYWARDS HEATH 22

FARNHAM came into this London & SE Senior Vase match on the back of five successive bonus-point league wins, but were given a right old battle at Monkton Lane as Haywards Heath fought back from 26-10 down to close the gap a mere four points.

The experienced West Sussex side are currently third in London 3 SE and Farnham, with a number of changes to their line-up, faced their first real test of the season.

Haywards Heath fielded a big and mobile pack, but Farnham had the considerable wind advantage in the first half and got off to a storming start.

They soon won a penalty and Toby Salmon kicked to the corner. Jonny Davidson and Pete Daly set up a driving maul and then Toby Salmon sent James Corlett through the smallest of gaps for the opening try.

Skipper Mike Salmon missed the conversion, but Farnham were soon back in the opposing 22. After a massive scrum, Oli Brown shrugged off a tackle to release Toby Salmon and following quality work through the backs, Luke Jermyn flew over for the try wide out. Mike Salmon landed a difficult kick and with the lead 12-0 after nine minutes, it seemed it was service as usual for Farnham.

But no – Heath had come to fight and prompted by experienced half-backs Menefy and Kerins, they begin to penetrate home territory. A rattled Farnham rushed their moves and it was Haywards Heath’s turn for a lineout catch-and- drive and Dan Shotton got them on the scoreboard with a try that was converted by Peter Kerins.

There was further frustration for Farnham as turnover specialists Andrew Bond and Daly struggled with the referee’s interpretation. Daly was yellow-carded and the hosts had to be satisfied with a 12-7 lead at the break.

Haywards Heath now had the stiff breeze behind them and full-back Best pinned Farnham back with booming kicks of 50 to 60 metres. A penalty resulted and Kerins’ trusty boot cut the deficit to two points.

Although Mike Salmon fluffed a reciprocal penalty, Farnham were stung into action. Dan Williams’ inititial charge was taken up by Corlett and then Mike Salmon smashed through tackles to score a try that he also converted.

Farnham, leading 19-10, were starting to show their class and the Heath pack were reduced to some cynical defending at a lineout. Shotton took a five-minute break; penalty to Farnham and a scrum against a reduced pack. Daly, on the drive, was stopped illegally and the referee awarded a penalty try. Mike Salmon added the extras and Farnham appeared to be out of sight at 26-10.

But it was far from being game over. Back came the visitors and after a rolling attack of successive pick-and-drives, Joss Townsend went over for the try.

Kerins missed a vital conversion, but Farnham were kept on the back foot in their own 22 as the clock ran down. Heath’s power in the scrum and quick hands sent Bobby Conroy-Smith over for another try and this time Kerins converted: 26-22.

The visitors’ revival had come just too late. From the kick-off, Farnham secured the ball and booted it into touch.

“Never in doubt,” smiled Farnham president Geoff Bond after an entertaining game that was testament to the skill and fitness levels of two evenly-matched sides.

The win was psychologically important for Farnham who travel to Eastleigh for a top-of-the-table clash this Saturday. Eastleigh also bost a perfect record and trail the leaders by a single point. Something has to give.

Farnham’s Podium points: Mike Salmon 3, James Trodden 2, Jordan Frost 1.