This victory was built on a slow starting but eventually all encompassing team effort. The 30-23 result in the end being a pretty accurate reflection of the days proceedings.

A well drilled and physically imposing Farnham came out of the blocks the quickest on this freezing cold and windy day at Bushy Park. Within 4 minutes they'd scored a cracking try and then kept the ball for another 6 minutes before they kicked a penalty. With 11 minutes gone Teddington had still not touched the ball...other than to restart. The boys needed to find something, or this top of the table clash (actually 2nd v 3rd) could end up being a one sided drubbing handed out by the visitors. On 15 minutes Teddington secured the ball and a small cheer echoed around the pitch. A sweeping move, all pace and handling swept down the pitch and Antlers outside centre Jack ARUNDEL collected the ball and danced his way over the line. Josh PENBERTHY slotted the conversion and not only had we joined in but it was game on.

The game then swung too and fro with some exciting passages of play, but with the wind at their backs Farnham kept Teddington pegged deep in their own half for vast tracts of time. With the wind in our faces kicking our way out of trouble was an unusable option, so it was time to role up our sleeves and man the barricades. Some all encompassing defence from the boys in blue, as well as some pressure relieving line breaks kept Farnham at bay and us in the hunt. Of note were the breaks by Elliot FRASER, our galloping Giraffe in the second row, who outstripped the Farnham backline to race 50 metres down the pitch, just failing to link up with anybody as he was dragged to the floor as the try line beckoned. Then followed a rapier like sprint by right wing Chris LIDINGTON, who let rip along the touchline, just getting scragged metres short and the final line break of note came from Teddingtons 5'8" 11 stone left wing Jonny HARTE who in a homage to Jonah LOMU blasted down the left wing evading all defenders and with just the fullback to beat, lined him up for the inevitable side step swerve combo....but no he dipped his shoulder and went all Maori sidestep on us, resulting in him getting flattened by the full back and trodden on by the recovering meaty centre. This all left him with a nice set of stud marks down the length of his leg and a face full of turf. Poor old Jonny hobbled off and played no further part in the game.

Farnham then scored their second try to push their lead out to 13-7. On 34 minutes Teddington full back Josh PENBERTHY kicked a penalty and on 40 minutes Eliot FRASER once again used his 7' legs to good effect by following up on a chip through to dot down Teddingtons 2nd try of the afternoon. Once again PENBERTHY added the conversion. It was 17-13 to Teddington at the break.

Within 10 minutes of the restart Farnham took back the lead with a well worked try and conversion making it 17-20. Paul MANLEY our veteran player/coach made a welcome return to the pitch side of the whitewash in the second half and made an instant impact on the game. He made two of his trademark mazey runs, evading tackles and then hobble/sprinting into space...would the legs hold up, or was another lengthy spell on the physio coach moments away. We shouldn't have worried, because within 10 minutes of him arriving he was despatched into the sin bin for a high tackle and a ten minute lie down. Even though we were down the 14 men The boys were not going to give up on the chance of victory. The final 15 minutes, much of it with 14 men was an impressive display of team spirit, commitment and tactical nouse which proved that this team have come a long way this season. A try by Ferg FARRELL converted by Josh PENBERTHY and two late PENBERTHY penalties sealed this hugely impressive victory.

All 18 players in the squad did their bit but a special mention to Josh PENBERTHY who didn't miss a kick all day, to Eliot FRASER who was everywhere, The back row of Stu RIDLER, Dave GREEN and Dom STONE who's tackle count must have been in three figures, Timmy HOLDSWORTH who filled in admirably at hooker then flanker and not forgetting Chris DICKSON who probably had his best game at fly half.

Well done boys