Farnham 2nd XV travel to Sutton & Epsom RFC for a game where the stakes were incredibly high. Farnham 2s sitting 3rd in the league with S&E sitting at the top of the table. A win putting Farnham 2s into a strong position for the remaining games of the season. Pregame chats consisted of the result “Defining the rest of the season” with the result reflecting just that.

Playing on the closer pitch to the club house, the pitch had taken a battering with the very wet winter with limited grass but still soft enough for plenty of grip underfoot. The forwards fancying their chances at scrum time with Woodhams, Larkin and Leybourne in the front row, Buxton and Healey in the engine room and KP, Evans and O’Keefe holding the fort on the fringes. Bassett and Thomas were coordinating the backs with Brighton and Warner midfield with Buckton, Ince and Wennan forming the back 3.

Farnham 2s opt to play up the hill in the first half backing their fitness (as the theme of the season) with their defence tested rigorously throughout. Farnham spot their dominance in the scrum early on but after numerous turnovers from both sides, S&E draw the first blood from close range within the first 10 minutes, conversion made score 7-0. Farnham kick the restart and after frustrations of trying to play out of their own half, poor discipline and too much chat to the referee, Sam Thomas was shown a yellow card. Farnham now on the back foot in defence with a man down, S&E strike again with added extras score 14-0.

Farnham regain possession with a man down and now start to use their dominance in the scrum to play up the pitch. Farnham win a scrum penalty in the middle of the pitch and Basset kicks long into touch 10m from S&E try line. Farnham maul to gain meters, ball played out the back with Wennan gaining his first try. Extras missed. Farnham now start finding their flow in the game with HT called. Score 14-5.

Farnham have now weathered the slope and now playing the second half downwards. S&E ring the changes and Farnham gain the advantage of the slope with the their fitness and strength now showing in the forwards giving a solid platform for the backs to cut lines and gain meters. Buckton shrugging 3 defenders off to score. Conversion good from Basset score now 14-12. Scrum time was the talk of the team throughout with multiple scrum penalties won and Basset kicking for territory. Backs are now running freely down the slope with Warner over the line injuring his shoulder in the process of scoring. Conversion good, Akin-Olugbade on for Warner at 13. Score 14-19

Farnham were repeatedly getting caught short at the ruck allowing possession to be easily given away, Farnham ring in changes with Brennan-Pomfret on for Evans and Singer on for Larkin. Play continues with O’keefe never too far away stealing as much ball as possible winning possession back with Farnham opting to dominate with set piece. Wennan given the ball out wide to score his second, conversion missed with the score now 14-24. Farnham now looking much more comfortable.

Farnham receive the kick and Wennan makes another break midfield, backing his speed, he chip and chases and regathers for possibly the try of the 2s season. Try scored under the post, conversion was a given with the score now being 14-31. Farnham continue to fight for another score with S&E desperate to gain a consolidation try but the Farnham defence was resolute with another penalty won outside the 22. Basset kicks to touch and FT score was 14-31.

The win puts Farnham 2nd XV in the same position as their 1st XV counter parts at the top of their table with the remaining 4 games being played at home. Farnham 2s opted to play Chobham 2s away in December to align a double header with the 1st XV. With the reverse double header being played at home in a few weeks time, both games could become very crucial for both sides in defining their seasons.