FARNHAM Rugby Football Club’s Academy recorded a very impressive 33-24 win away at Richmond RFC to progress in the Surrey Rugby’s Quins Cup on Sunday.

The Quins Cup is the county’s premier competition for under-15 to Academy (under-17/18) age groups.

In an entertaining nine try game, Farnham played flowing rugby to strike first and led 14-7 at half time.

Excellent use of turnover ball produced a third Farnham try early in the second half before Richmond staged a determined comeback using their heavier pack in pick-and-go mode to close the gap to just two points.

With intense pressure on the Farnham line, a Richmond pass to space was intercepted by Farnham’s number ten, Stan Platt.

He burst out and, following sharp interplay with his winger, touched down for Farnham under the posts, making for a simple conversion to create a two-score gap that Richmond were unable to close.

The battle to repel Richmond pressure with determined work on the fringes reminded the Farnham team that though they play an open running game well, close-quarters defence remains a key strength.

Farnham’s other tries were scored by Max Williams and Joe Brockman with two.

As well as his own try, Platt converted two other attempts.

Farnham under-18 Girls played their first ever cup game against Dorking.

Farnham won the home tie 33-21 with two tries from Maddie Healey and one each for Holly Thompson, Rosie Peet and Liv Price, with Tegan Larvan successfully converting three of them.

Tomorrow (Sunday), Farnham will field home and away no less than 11 boys teams from under-12 to under-17/18 in cup matches and will send 13 teams aged under-seven to under-11 to the Guildford Mini Festival.

The Falcons 1st XV women’s team also travel to Reading to play the Rams Sirens in a league match.