Scoreboard fuses as Farnham crush spirited New Milton Another exciting day at Monkton Lane as a spirited New Milton XV came to spoil the Farnham March to Div 2 South West. After the delights of last weeks Six Nations finale the Farnham Faithful expected and they were not disappointed - 13 tries was the tally for the day - a total that the new scoreboard failed to register. With coach Matt Kemp ringing the changes in various positions the new formation showed speedster fullback at fly half, last weeks stand off Andy Freshwater at fullback in a newly set three quarter line. Mike Salmon and Ed Weekes spearheaded the centre with wings Chas Penn and Skipper Toby Comley completing the quartet sheer pace was to be the attacking weapon with power from the pack. Here to there were changes Simmons to the bench and Pete Daly into the row with Franklin. With Trodden Chiverton and Kelleher setting the scrum in the front row. The scene was set - Bond, Crabb and Meagher formed the breakaway unit with Ben Rubio at scrum half to pull the strings. Farnham had been forced into a battle in the away encounter in October and New Milton began with the same intent. Early sparring began proceedings with forceful surges from Crabb and Bond to the fore and the Colossus that is Pete Daly leading the charge. With 14 minutes on the clock Farnham finally broke the deadlock with a driving maul of unstoppable power and Crabb emerged as the scorer. The blustery conditions made it almost impossible for both kickers all afternoon and Rubio pulled the initial conversion well wide. Support play brings reward and the next try was a direct result, pick, drive and support and Daly over in the corner. Farnham had begun to sink their teeth into the match and it began to become increasingly painful for a fully committed and spirited New Milton. A superb thrust through the middle by Mike Salmon released Toby Comley to romp over in the corner. 17-0 after twenty minutes. Straight from the kick off the ball was won superbly in the air by Franklin and a feisty exchange eventually released the speed machine Gabe Hills for the first of his four tries. Bonus point secure after just 21minutes. Farnham had tweaked the lions tail and back came New Milton with intent, they were determined to impose themselves on the game and did so superbly with two quick tries wide out. The game was reignited and momentum had swung albeit temporarily to the Hampshire Visitors - subtlety did not exude from them, their power was centred round a burly pair of props backed up by a wily experienced 8 and two speedy flankers. Smash and bash to suck in the opposition and then release their backs. This was their flaw some of the decision making was awry and after 35 minutes Farnham shut the door on the game with Jason Crabb again scoring wide out to push the score to 27-10. Half time and a breather for both teams and the big crowd. Unusually Farnham had gone of the boil to allow the opposition back into the game and, obviously, during the break Coach Matt Kemp had reminded the team of their intended game plan - it had the desired effect as first Freshwater was freed up to score and then in rapid succession both Salmon and Rubio crossed to increase the score to 44-10. The swirling conditions had made precise handling difficult but the petit general Ben Rubio was now directing proceedings Salmon through a gap to score under the posts followed by another devastating jinking sprint to score by Hills and Farnham were out of sight at 56-10. The scoreboard could not cope with the rapidity of the scoring and ground to a 0-0 halt. New Miltons spirits were lifted and they powered into the home 22 to score wide out. They would not capitulate - a tribute to their spirit and attitude. With the clouds darkening and heavy rain threatening Farnham again ramped up the power as gaps began to appear - further tries for Hills (2), Daly and Salmon took the score to 73-15 as the skies opened and the hail sheeted down. Thankfully the referee called a halt to proceedings and both sides were applauded off the field. Another superb advert for Junior Rugby. If the Farnham impetus came from their forwards then the executioners were Rubio and Hills at half back the pace of their service constantly put the support players over and past the gain line creating a rich haul of 13 tries right across the team. The only disappointing aspect - that the team failed to put Dean Chiverton over for his first try of the season - he deserves one. Work on it boys!!
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 22:05:42 +0000
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