Great start spoiled by mistakes
Match Report by Club President, Geoff Bond
After a superb multi phase start involving all fifteen players from under our own posts through the phases to the hosts try line it looked like it was going to be a good evening for Farnham under the lights at Bracknell last Thursday evening.
Farnham were dominant in the set scrums and driving mauls but the initial, almost perfect, start driven on by skills and enthusiasm gradually gave way to a fast and frenetic game which, unfortunately, started to produce mistakes, offside decisions and missed tackles.
After the initial onslaught Bracknell, who had had a run of preseason games, against Eastleigh, London Welsh and Oxford Harlequins (winning them all), began to up the pace, putting the ball into space and importantly taking the pass at top speed. The Farnham defence was in the main resolute but three separate mistakes led to Bracknell building a 19-0 lead after 25 minutes. Farnham had their chances going close through James Corlett after a superbly floated Mike Salmon pass. Returning brother Tim also burst into effective action through the centre.
The final passes just would not stick for the visitors and they went though a phase of the front row players acting as first receiver clogging up the midfield and conceding isolated penalties. Frustrating for everyone and starving the backs of quick ball.
Gradually the game turned and Farnham began to increase the dominance at scrum and maul and with halftime approaching winger George Northwood was freed up to gallop over in the corner. 19-5 at the break.
The second half was a to and fro slugfest with Bracknell scoring two tries, one whilst the referee was having a discussion with Farnham skipper Ben Adams – Odd to say the least.
Eventually, bolstered by the returning Pete Daly and replacement prop Marco Azevado, Farnham began to turn the screw through some driving line out mauls. Finally again George Northwood was put away in the corner after quick ball from Rhys Basset. The second half lost by 10-5 with a far better performance to result in a 29-10 defeat.
A good run out for the boys who understandably were a bit ring rusty after 18 months of no rugby. But there was much to be positive about and we can all look forward to what should be a great season.
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