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Back to winning ways

After the loss to Horsham and the cancelled KCS game, the 1st XV got back to winning ways with a hard-earned win away at Gravesend 12-24. It was a complete performance in a match dominated by gnarly defence from both sides. Max Williams on the wing was the difference with a tackle-busting assist for Nathan Phillimore and a wonderful, jinking try of his own. Skipper Toby Salmon was immaculate with the boot and its fair to say that not one of the 18 put a foot wrong - indeed, lock Matthew Chapman and his replacement Harrison Horner put many a hard foot forward to cause a certain amount of panic in the Gravesend mid-field.

We'll be looking forward to a repeat performance against Beckenham at Monkton Lane this weekend - somewhat of a historical fixture as the two clubs have yet to meet at 1st XV level.

As always, all are invited to the Supporters Lunch that precedes the match. £20 paid by card at the bar affords the diner a lovely lunch, cheese and coffee plus entry into a raffle of fabulous prizes. We'll gather at 1.15pm to dine at 1.30pm ahead of the 3.00pm KO.

To book your seat(s) simply email chairman@farnhamrugby.org.

Respectable results elsewhere.

On Sunday, the Falcons showed good grit against Windsor coming back from two tries down to run out 31-17 victors.

When the handful of supporters who travelled to Gravesend came back to the club on Saturday, they were greeted by a clubhouse brim full of pride at the performance of the 2nd XV. Facing the formidable Richmond's 4th XV, our boys battled to the end - even after a series of injuries (and a bench denuded of players needed for our other XVs) had reduced them to 13 players. "It was something else to see them put Richmond under pressure right to the end of the game." By all reports, the final score 19-29 did not do the boys justice.

Last Call for Big Game Tickets

The deadline for orders AND payment for discounted Quins Big Game tickets at HQ on 27th December is this Friday 28th October.
If you want some, email Graeme Black at minis_chairman@farnhamrugby.org TODAY.

Looking ahead to the Festive Season, mark your diaries for the Club Day on 28th December when we'll be running a President's XV v U23s match along with rugby for every age group/section at the club.

And don't leave it too late to buy your tickets for the New Years Eve Casino Night.

These - and of course the Fireworks tickets if you haven't bought your's yet - are at:

https://farnhamkit.co.uk/collections/camps-and-course

Academy thrives

Your Sunday rugby fix will be provided by the Academy who are putting two sides out against Bracknell who are over to Monkton Lane for a non-league fixture. KOs 2.00pm

The success if our Academy is down to excellent coaching and a determination to keep the fun and camaraderie alive as the age groups merge - the Academy being a blend of U17 and U18 players.

As part of the effort, last weekend the Academy went on tour to the South-West. Dominic Parker tells the tale...

We played "Friday night Lights" en route to Bristol against Bradford Upon Avon. BoA are one of the strongest Academy sides in Somerset and we knew we'd be up against it. The squad was primarily made up of u17 players so physically it would be tough. However The u18s we took were game changers who, head coach Steve Douglas, scattered across the backlone with Ollie Buckton (15), Stan Platt (10) and Reuben Anthony (13). It was a ding dong match where we went a couple of tries up. Despite the biblical weather both sides were there to play rugby. BoA came back into at half time and the game could go either way. A couple of tactical substitutions and a message to ask forwards to reset was just what the side needed. Farnham took the game to 12-22 and looked out of sight; but with minutes to spare BoA scored and the game hung in the balance. The referee split up some unnecessary hand bags and we went in to a nail biting last 2 minutes. BoA carried hard but Farnham were patient, didn't give any penalties away and when their opportunity came, they pounced. Turn over. The referee blew the final whistle. The author doesn't recall the try scorers - he was on tour after all! Nevertheless "to the victor go the spoils" and Dominoes pizza awaited! BoA is a fantastic rugby club thanks to them for hosting.

Saturday we spent the morning sightseeing and the afternoon team building at Mojo Active. Saturday evening was rounded off by a Best of British evening at ZaZa Bazaar! It brought out the creativity from across the group with Sherlock Holmes, Wellington, James Corden, Henry VIII, the Spice Girls and of course Isambard Brunel all making an appearance!

The tour was rounded off on Sunday with a joint training session with Cleve RFC another cracking West country club. They struggle with numbers in their academy so, despite them having only 9 players, it was good to go along to a proper local club, throw the ball around and put some money behind the bar! We are hoping Cleve will visit us at Farnham soon.

Too many people to thank but all in a great tour with fantastic stash provided by Smart-Tasking.