WITH no first XV league game at the weekend, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine a quiet weekend at Farnham Rugby Club.

But nothing could be further from the truth as the club reinforced its position at the pinnacle of the local sports community.

On Saturday, those who gathered to watch the Six Nations competition unfold on the club’s big screens were well distracted by the sight of the third XV securing a place at the Surrey Cup finals day in April by defeating Wimbledon 36-27 in their competition’s semi-final.

As it stands, the club expects the seconds, the fourths and the veterans to join them.

Sunday was also a big day for the club as Farnham junior Will Trenholm came on 30 minutes from time in England under-18s’ 36-21 defeat of Scotland. And his impact was such that, according to his dad John, a Scottish player was overheard to say: “We’ve got to stop that No8 who has just come on!” There can be no higher praise for a rugby player.

Meanwhile, no fewer than seven of Farnham’s under-15 squad played for their county that day.

Louie Kirkham, Sam Williams, Jack Benelmans and Oban Baird played for Hampshire against Berkshire and helped win a tight battle 12-10, while Charlie Gibbs, of Middlesex, met up with this Farnham teammates Callum Jones and Henry Wormwell, of Surrey, at their county A game, which Surrey won 27-17.

And to cap it all, some 50 young women, most new to rugby, discovered the joy of the game at Monkton Lane.

Accepting an invitation to an open day run by the club’s burgeoning ladies’ section, they learned the basics of the game, played some matches and had loads of fun. After the rugby, all the girls enjoyed a hot dog and drink in the clubhouse and were given an RFU-branded shoulder bag as a memento.

“I enjoyed scoring the tries and the ball-stealing game,” said Year 3 student Emila Featherstone, who was playing for the first time.

“The coaches helped us a lot to make us better. I can’t wait to go again!”

Emila’s mum Charlotte added: “There is no doubt that Emila really enjoyed it. I’d like to thank Farnham for running an excellent event and for the coaches for giving their time.”

Coach Tracy Parry said: “We’ve got 28 new names registered ranging from Year 3 girls to adults. That’s a great boost to the club’s ladies’ section and we can really push on from here.

“For those who did not make it down on Sunday, the door is not closed. Any young woman wishing to try rugby for the first time can come to a training session and find out if rugby’s right for them.

“We run a session for under-11s and younger girls to Year 3 every Sunday at 10am and on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm for the older girls and adults.”

Anyone interested should email [email protected]

Away from the clubhouse on Sunday, the Academy team, made up of under-17s and under-18s, defeated Battersea Ironsides 31-5 to reach the final of the Quins Cup at Farnham on April 28.

Earlier this season, the team qualified for the final of the Surrey Waterfall Cup at Warlingham on April 14.

Meanwhile, the under-14 Blues (one of three under-s14 teams at the club) returned from their trip to Ironsides with the Surrey Waterfall Secretaries’ Cup – the first silverware of the season for the club – and the under-10s were crowned champions for their age group at the Effingham and Leatherhead festival.

On Saturday, it is back to league action for the senior teams – the eyecatcher being the first XV game at home against Dulwich-based Old Alleynians.

With exactly the same playing record, Alleynians currently pip Farnham to the promotion play-off place with two more try bonus points. However, Farnham won the previous league fixture on the road. The game kicks off at 3pm.