Champions!

On Sunday the Academy won the prestigious Harlequins Presidents Cup - the pinnacle of age grade rugby in Surrey - beating a worthy Wimbledon 29 - 6.  It was a fast, furious and fiercely contested game at Monkton Lane - a credit to Junior rugby as whole, not to mention the Academy coaching staff who, amongst other things, have maintained a 50-strong contingent all of whom contributed to the victory.

The club has swung into action with plots and plans to help these lads transfer to the senior club - should they move away to uni or whatever -  or not.  It is our ambition to continue to continue our success in the senior men's leagues, and, as the Chairman once put it, "No matter how far up the leagues we climb, if you cut off a 1st XV player's arm, there will be black and white running through it."

This is unlike London Welsh, who seem to be throwing everything and anyone at their bid to regain their past glories.  Their match report of Saturday's game  remarked that a player from Championship Club Ealing Trailfinders came on as a replacement.  Despite facing a club with access to such playing resources, our boys fronted up magnificently and despite going down 5-41, made the balcony proud by contesting every yard and every minute of the game.  That Toby Salmon scored the try of the match in its dying moments was scant reward for their efforts.

We wish Welsh well on their journey, and the very, very best of luck to all the opponents they face on the way. ;)

Full reports from both games are on the website with masses of photos on our Facebook page - links to both are at the bottom of the newsletter.


PS - The six games we hosted for the Quins Cup finals on Sunday all went well and given the "Oohs,  aahs,  hurrahs and cheers," that rang around our grounds, were equally contested and much enjoyed.

In the other Under 18 matches, Dorking narrowly beat fierce rivals Richmond 12-10 for the Harlequins Chairman’s Cup while Old Reigatians secured the Stoop Cup with a 24-5 win over Chipstead. Cobham beat Esher 24-14 to be crowned U16 champions while Barnes secured second slot with a 29-13 victory over Weybridge Vandals. Old Whitgiftians won the runners up final beating Chobham by 53 – 7. 

Falcons sign off in second place

The Falcons 1st XV completed their season with a convincing 38-0 win over Windsor. Above, Zoe Robinson converts.  The win leaves them in second place in their league - a first rate return for their first season at this level.  Many congratulations to Jacko and Abi Jackson for coaching/driving the team and to all the players, their families and supporters.

PS - Someone ought to drop a note to the RFU and have them update their rather anachronistic naming convention for women's rugby.

Women's NC 2 South East (West)

Next Week's Rugby

The 1st XV travel to London Cornish on Saturday.  Note KO for that game has been brought forward to 2.15pm. While we should get some points against the team propping up the league, after our disappointing 22-0 trip to London Irish, there will be no complacency.

The Vikings entertain the home crowd in their match against Camberley 2s meanwhile the Barbarians entertain Alton 2s. Both games KO at 3.00pm and contain a rivalry for which all support will be most welcome! 

Being the week before the climax to the Waterfall Cup and the Mini Festival season, it is a "relatively" quiet Sunday for the Mini-Juniors. The U13s host Haywards Heath in the morning and the U16s Alton in the afternoon - both "friendlies".  The U14s are on tour - enjoy, boys!

Looking a little further ahead, as the Academy season ends, some of the lads will keep playing.  Congratulations to the following who have been summoned to trials on April 10th to represent their counties at U17.

Surrey:
Tom Dickin 
Ed Richards 
Ned Brooker 
Luke McGinn
Matt Rich
Dan Sweeney  
Theo Clifford 

Hampshire:
Ollie Buckton
Nemesio Qiatabua
Ben Barham 

And finally...

Oak Tree and Acorn Co.

Last week we ran a piece about your e-membership card and its use in securing a member's discount with our commercial partners.  I managed to miss Oak Tree and Acorn off the list of partners - which is some goof given we see their logo every week emblazoned on our post protectors and corner flags.  They are also the generous sponsors of our first pitch.

The Oak Tree & Acorn Company is an established gift and homeware company that specialises in supplying a range of quality and desirable gifts at affordable prices – Oak Tree are also an official stockist of Frenchic Paint.
 
The company's roots are firmly based in Farnham and has grown a large on-line presence, opened a fabulous shop at The Shed in Bordon, along with five other retail outlets across the South of England.  

Owner Rebecca Horrell Tidbury and her husband Jan have a long connection with Farnham RUFC. They have enjoyed five children move through the age groups - three of whom played from U6 to the Academy. Rebecca's  youngest still plays in the junior section.
 
The Oak Tree & Acorn Company offers club members a 10% discount on all products bought on-line www.oaktreeandacorn.com (use promo code - RUGBY 10) or in their shops by bone fide members on showing their e-membership card.