Farnes’ return to rugby is ‘pretty much perfect’

MATT FARNES admitted that his return to rugby was “pretty much perfect” on Saturday.
Matt FarnesMatt Farnes
Matt Farnes

After more than two years out with a knee injury, Farnes touched down two tries as Worthing Raiders’ A team drew 14-14 with Barnes 2nd at Roundstone Lane.

Farnes went over for his first try after just five minutes, with only his second touch of the game. He then got his second try on 20 minutes as he played for 50 minutes.

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He said: “It was pretty much perfect. I was very nervous before the game, especially on the morning. The early try helped to settle me down as I really wanted to score.

“It’s not always about that but when I used to play, I always wanted to score tries and I was over the moon to do that with just my second touch, after Ben Dudley offloaded the ball.”

The plan was for Farnes to play 40 minutes but he stayed on for ten minutes of the second half as well and he said: “I was going to come off at half-time but we had a couple of injuries.

“I stiffened up a little bit at half-time but I didn’t come off because of my knee, I came off just because I’d blown out.”

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Farnes admitted he had no problem with his knee in the game and said: “I had to make a few tackles and everything was all right.

“Everything is fine with my knee and it’s just about getting my head round things and making tackles again – especially as that’s how I got injured in the first place.

“I was quite sore on Sunday but went swimming to help recover.

“Overall, I was really happy with how everything went. It’s a real shame there’s no second team game this weekend but I’ll be ready to play for Raiders if they need me.

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“I wouldn’t say that I could play 80 minutes but I would definitely be able to do 50 or 60 minutes.

“I just want to try to play every week now and then play Sevens in the summer, before getting back to full match fitness for the start of next season.”

Raiders coach Kieron Dawson said: “It’s great for Matt to be back playing again. He genuinely feared he might not play again, so it’s great that he’s running around, looking sharp and we’ll hope to get him a run-out for the Raiders before the end of the season.”