FARNHAM Royal RFC will come back stronger for the experience of relegation this season, according to captain Toni Flore.

Royals struggled to adapt to the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier and their relegation was confirmed after a 29-26 defeat against Hungerford.

Flore believes his side’s performance on Saturday was one of their best this season, but admits they lack the strength in depth to be competitive at Premier level.

However, that could be about to change following the launch of a new community partnership with London Wasps, and a new desire to field a second team.

Speaking to the Observer, Flore explained: “Our problem is a lack of strength in depth, we can’t fill the first team when players are injured.

“The Premier is a step up and the lack of experience has let us down, but we’re not too disappointed.

“We should have beaten Phoenix back in September, we were the better team on the park, but the players were not used to the improved level of rugby.

“People have to understand we are self-coached, you come to the club to enjoy a game of rugby and it is not too serious. “We were competitive in a lot of the games, including against champions Tadley, but we lacked any strength in depth.” Flore added: “We have developed a new relationship with Wasps and the club is now community partners of theirs. We recently hosted a tournament for them and there is another on May 3.

“In return, Wasps offer coaching sessions and send players to community clubs like us, so we will concentrate on developing a new second team next season.

“The club recognise that is the problem and, until then, we are not going to compete at this level. But I am sure we are capable of bouncing straight back.” Royals were comprehensively beaten at Hungerford earlier this the year, and a brutal experience at Gosforld All Blacks last week meant that they were unable to field any substitutes.

The visitors opened up the Farnham defence to score under the posts in the opening minutes, but Royals soon began to settle into the contest.

They rallied strongly with Mike Alsen quickly picking up from a ruck to dart between two defenders and score. Tom Boardman was on form and accurate to maximise the conversion attempt.

With the forwards rolling and the defence more robust Farnham went on the attack, winning the ball from a lineout and then driving forward until it was touched down by debutante winger Kier Preston.

Royals were dealt a blow when Boardman was sent to the sinbin and, with no replacements to call upon, they slipped narrowly to a 26-29 defeat.

Flore accepted: “We fielded a weak side with players that are not experienced. They were full of spirit but it wasn’t quite enough.

“Our tackling in defence was extremely good and we walked off the field happy because we thought we would be in for a tough afternoon.

“We were in front at one stage but our backline got opened up when Tom Boardman was sinbinned. However, it was probably one of our best performances of the season.

“What was special is the number of new players to the game we have had this season. One was in his first match ever against an extremely well-managed Hungerford team.” Farnham do not have a fixture to fulfil tomorrow (Saturday), but complete their campaign at Bicester on April 12 (3pm ko).

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