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Match report for Sat 19th Sep 2009 @ 14:00, 1st XV

Royals did not disappoint this weekend with a fantastic, disciplined display of gritty defence and team spirit to finish winners in a thrilling game at Farnham park.

Summary

After last week’s disappointing performance against Readingensians, Farnham looked to a much improved performance and team effort on Saturday in the cup versus our visitors Risborough RFC. With 10 changes from last week’s team owing to injuries and availability this was a real opportunity for some of the squad players to prove themselves. Royals did not disappoint this weekend with a fantastic, disciplined display of gritty defence and team spirit to finish winners in a thrilling game at Farnham park.

First half

Farnham took an early lead on 4 mins after a Mike Alsen break resulted in a penalty, with Mike on hand to slot the kick over. A period of sustained pressure from Royals resulted in another penalty to take the lead to 6-0 after 22 minutes. Risborough, with a big mobile pack began to come more and more into the game and were unlucky to have a try disallowed from a lineout. The royals defence was excellent typified by Luke Morgan and Greg Pearce’s aggressive scrapping round the fringes and at the set pieces, with Luke Morgan dominating the Risborough No 8 and scrum half at the scrum. The final phase of the first half resulted in Royals only try of the match. Killion Mpteau showing good strength in the contact to break the gain line and combining well with his fellow back row Greg Pearce who showed silky footwork to go round the fullback and score under the posts. Unfortunately Mike Alsen was not feeling so silky with a missed conversion from in front of the posts. Royals went into the half time break 11-0.

Second Half

The exertion of the first half took its toll on the team in the second half and the results were evident throughout the team with lazy penalties being given away and a lack of concentration resulting in loss of field position and rushed decisions. Royals were lucky to get away with a missed penalty from Risborough, after giving away a penalty in front of the posts in the first 5 minutes of the second half. On 13 minutes Risborough got deservedly on the score sheet after their scrum half was allowed to run half way across the pitch on a long looping run, with the Royals defence asleep, and score a great solo try. The resulting conversion was missed leaving the score at 11-5 to Royals. Royals were left defending for the majority of the second half and showed excellent determination to stop Risborough coming through. The scrums were much stronger this week and allowed a platform for the backs to run off and with the lineouts functioning well, Royals were able to exert much more control on the game than they may have previously been able to do.

Team: Flore(c), Stuart, Sutherland, Bailey (sub Moffat S), Gumbs, Mpeta, Moffat (sub James), Morgan, Whelan, Fawcett, Ingles, Wallis, Alsen