Rugby News: On a first class, family journey

Generations on a journey

The opening salvos of this season remind us that this club is about generations on a journey. From the Vets in their Tens competition to the gathering of our Under 5s - under the watchful eye of Warriors skipper Mark Baines, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, grand parents and grand children have gathered to enjoy time together with a rugby ball.

The quality of that journey is evident in our facilities recently garnished with the magnificent Shed – the envy of clubs throughout the land. It is also evident in the quality of coaching and appropriate care provided.

Just as our players’ careers evolve, so do those of our coaches. The club is sponsoring three of our coaches for the RFU’s Advanced Coaching Award – previously known as Level 3: club stalwart and our current club coaching coordinator Mark Jones, sometime senior player and head coach of the girls section Etienne van den Brink and U15 coach, level 6 referee and club ref coach Mark Scoular. Meantime Falcons Coach – and Army forwards coach - Jacko Jackson is being sponsored for his ACA by Wasps.

They’ll bring back what they learn to ensure the club meets its commitment to giving players the best rugby experience it can and developing them to be the best they can be.

Sharing knowledge is a vital part of our coaching community. On Friday 27^th September at 7.00pm we convene a “Coach the Coaches Session” led by our new Academy Head Coach and qualified RFU Coach Developer Jake Cottrell. The session will cover all things about coaching young players including skill acquisition for a wider game plus strength & conditioning for teenage rugby players and much much more (including a curry supper!)
If you would like to attend, please let your Head Coach know or contact sam.foskett@farnhamrugby.org.

Farnham 1st XV enjoyed domination at either end of a fast and bruising encounter on a warm late summer’s day at Watchetts Lane, the home of Camberley Rugby.

Farnham flew into action from the whistle quieting the Camberley crowd who had enjoyed their President’s pre-match lunch. Farnham took the game to the home side for the first ten minutes with multiphase rugby spearheaded by skipper Oli Brown, the barnstorming Michael Salmon and a rejuvenated Pete Daly. Phase after phase stretched the home defence. Much of the effort was absorbed by a spiky, aggressive Camberley rear-guard but a reward was due and it came through another attack after quick hands released winger Reece Stennett. He was held on the ground after a tackle and the penalty awarded to Farnham – an easy three for Toby Salmon.

Farnham could be pleased with their opening salvo after ten minutes in the Camberley half but ominous signs began to appear. The line out simply did not function and, after early success, the set scrum started to creak. A wayward line out throw by Farnham saw the home backs snaffle the loose ball and launch a blistering breakout culminating in a try out wide finished by winger Josh Wight. The conversion by fly half Matt Smart, who was impressive throughout, gave Camberley the lead.

During the next twenty minutes Camberley ramped up the tempo of the game. Much of their thrust came from their second row giant Sammit and the driving power of centre Josh Lewanitua. Farnham’s defence required a brutal team effort with Alex Chalker, Toby Salmon and brother Michael all putting their bodies on the line. This is a united Farnham squad and to a man they harried, chased and tackled but the consistent pressure began to tell. A series of drives took the home pack into the visitors 22 resulting in a classic forwards try. Easy pickings for Smart. 14-3.

Still the visitors could not resolve their line out problems and, with the scrum under pressure - that vital commodity – quick ball was non-existent. Camberley capitalised and Smart sent the visitors into the break with another penalty. 17-3.

Farnham had to come out of the blocks to get back into the game but it was not to be. Sheer effort and tenacity alone will not win rugby matches. Camberley increased the pace. Another wayward line out and the all-important first score of the second period went to the home side. Rough justice as it was scored after Farnham had demolished the Camberley scrum under their own posts. Perhaps a missed penalty? The home side managed to rescue the ball and a full speed 100 metre breakout saw winger Wiltshire score out wide on the left wing. 22-5.

Coach Ali Chisholm rang the changes. On came Tim Salmon, an historic moment for mum Fiona as all three of her sons were now on the pitch – Michael, Toby and Tim. What a credit to the Club they are. Despite the changes Camberley were still rampant and ran in two more tries to stretch away to a 36-3 winning margin.

The last ten minutes, as last week against Cobham, however, were all Farnham’s. At last a line out was secured and a galloping Pete Daly raced to the line but the pop pass to Comley was deemed forward to disappoint the travelling Farnham Faithfull.

Undeterred, the Black and Whites came back and a typical Toby Salmon burst freed up Toby Comley to touch down by the corner flag. 36-8. With the clock running down Farnham scored the ‘try of the game’ with a Toby Salmon off load to brother Tim whose try under the posts set up an easy final kick for Toby the younger. Final score 36-15.

Camberley deserved the win. they were totally dominant during the middle 60 minutes, with poor line out performance and a creaking set piece adding to the visitors travails. While the Farnham boys never gave in, there is much for the coaching team to ponder ahead of the visit to Monkton Lane of old rivals KCS Old Boys next Saturday.

Presidents Podium:
Michael Salmon – 3 points battled in attack and defence all game.
Toby Comley – 2 although battered never gave in
Reece Stennett – 1 fast hard yards and never misses a tackle.

Sat in a sweltering traffic jam in Twickenham outside the hallowed turf of HQ, the Vets may have been tempted to daydream about the heroics they were about to produce in their first contact rugby in 18 months, as they crawled towards Richmond FC for their inaugural Tens Competition.

And with Adam Hailstones scoring their first try against a sizable Richmond squad after a series of great offloads, heroics seemed within grasp. But Vets rugby is very much a numbers game, with one of the key figures being 'number of replacements'... And as their only replacements were still stuck in said traffic jam, Farnham's number was a big fat 'zero'.

Not to take anything away from Richmond, who were a talented bunch and deserved eventual winners of the competition, but whilst they could call on strength in depth, Farnham's lack of match fitness and fresh bodies soon started to show, and we lost the first game five tries to one.

With replacements eventually making it through the traffic, better was to come in the second game, with Farnham edging a close fought match with Old Cranleighans 22 - 19. This left us in the 3rd/4th place play-off, with keen rivals Camberley our opposition. With only minutes to go, the score was tied at 18 all, with Farnham pressing Camberley's try line, but sadly the fairytale ending was not to be, as Camberley managed to break away and eventually score a final try at the death.

Still, the Vets left the field with their heads held high, and their hearts full. Full contact rugby again - how we have missed it! But not quite so much as that most wonderful of Saturday pleasures... a cold beer in the sunshine after a hot and tiring game... Heaven!

Vets squad: Chris Bird, Karl Burr, Chris Cotton, Adam Hailstones, John Hartley, Dan Hartwell, Dan Healy, Huy Le, Jon Marren, Mat McManus, Ed Spooner, Dave Stent, Rich Varley.