Having never put a W on the board in their previous meetings with Farnborough, both colts ages knew they would be up for a tough game today, and sure enough it was. Farnborough brought a large team down, and used their ball carriers right from the start, breaking holes through the Ellingham defence. It didn't take long before Farnborough had a scrum in the Ellingham half, they went blind and earnt themselves a penalty at the ensuing ruck. From the lineout, following a kick to the corner, the drove it forward, then popped it out to one of their big ball carriers, who crashed over, conversion was missed.
This kicked Ellingham into gear, and they started to put pressure on Farnborough. Following a good set of phase play, scrum half Zach Morrish broke to the right, stepped the Farnborough players left and right, and only a last ditch tackle stopped him from scoring. Fortunately No8, and man of the match, Elliot Packham was on hand for Zach to pop the ball to so that he could score. Zach then converted the try.
In a first half that continued to go backwards and forward, Farnborough scored next, with them working the ball out wide for their winger to score in the corner, conversion was missed. It did not take long for Ellingham to go back into the lead, this time the ball ended up in James Wildings hands, he took a lovely arcing run, and out paced the defence to score on the left hand side. Zach converted.
It was at this point that Ellingham started to get on top, and were exerting more and more pressure in the Farnborough half, despite being close to the line many times, they could not get the score. It was a moment of individual brilliance by Zach to add the next points. A free kick had been awarded to Ellingham at a scrum. Rather than give it to one of the ball carriers, Zach decided to take things into his own hands....he took the free kick, ran towards the opposition, put in a delightful chip kick, ran forward, out jumped the opposition (which given he is only just pushing 5ft was impressive), gathered the ball, stepped the last man and then sprinted to the try line to score!!! Given the quality we can even forgive him the Chris Ashton-esq swallow dive at the end. He then stepped up to convert. Unfortunately this was his last real influence on the game as he had to go off with an injury shortly afterwards.

Half time Ellingham 21 - 10 Farnborough

Both teams continued to go at each other hard throughout the second half, but the frenetic pace began to take it's toll. Ellingham were the first to get over the whitewash. Farnborough missed a penalty to touch, it was gathered and brought in field. There were a couple of phases, and then the ball was span left to Tommy Boland, who showed an extraordinary turn of pace and went round the outside of the defence to score near the posts. Although grounding the ball with 1 hand raised the heart rates of all the coaches!! With Zach off the field Max Rees stepped up to make the conversion.
Farnborough knew they had to score next, and they marched forward putting pressure on the Ellingham line. This eventually told, after many phases and Ellingham giving away numerous penalties they scored on the right but were unable to make the conversion.
At this point the game started to break up a bit and despite 3 yellow cards, 2 for Farnborough and 1 for Ellingham the teams still went back and forth, with the game coming to a close Farnborough pushed hard for another try, but Ellingham held out to take the win 28-15.