Read below, or open attached PDF to view in technicolour, with league tables included. View the photo album under "Media/Abums", and also get Shell Oliver's full photo album of the match via the following link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LQtn2xpcVqYYVB2H7

Match Report - Saturday 06 December 2025

Farnham RUFC 29 - CS Stags 1863 22

The Stags took the train down to Farnham, the first league fixture between the two sides. For the travelling party of old hands, it was great to meet up with club stalwart and former archivist Ralph Hulme, who lives in the vicinity. Nick Alway was also re-united with a Farnham player he locked horns with in the front row in a Vets match back in the early 1990’s, by the name of McManus, who also was a Munster player, and when Civil Service vets took the victory on the day!

We knew the pitch was going to be sodden and boggy, and predictably it was Farnham who mastered the conditions better early first half. A few missed first tackles here and there, and the home side soon had a try on 5 minutes. Stags hit back on 14 minutes though, Henry Sweet making a great run on the right after a good move through the middle. 5-5 the score. But within twenty minutes the home side had a 22-5 lead through three more tries on 19, 25, and 31 minutes, and secured the four try bonus early doors. Stags then dug in a bit to consolidate, first taking the opportunity to bag three points via a penalty in front of the posts through David Wilkinson. Then flanker Marcus Kay found a big hole through the middle of the Farnham defence, culminating in a powerful run under the posts. Converted by Wilkinson, Stags ended the first half with all to play for, at 22-15.

The second half was a hard, dour affair in the mud, and dominated by Stags. However, Farnham increased the pressure with their fifth try after five minutes, and converted, took their lead to 29-15. Stags kept plugging away though. Several good attacks and runs ended just short, with a penalty or knock on error against us at the death. Finally, James Fraser broke through the middle on 55 minutes to score under the posts, and converted, brought us back to a seven point deficit at 29-22. Hopes were up for at least a draw, but it was not to be, the Farnham defence holding firm and hanging on for the win.

We had a depleted side through both injury and availability, but credit to all the Stags boys who stepped up today and did their best. Congratulations to the entire bench, all coming on and winning their first teams caps – Aaron Musa-Lucas, Zayed Studd, and Josh Wirihana-Tawake. The bonus point keeps us still in fifth place in the league, two points ahead of Farnham, and showing some fairly healthy mid-season stats and figures. All to play for second half of season – onwards and upwards Stags!

Tries: 15 points (x3) –Henry Sweet, Marcus Kay, James Fraser.
Conversions: 4 points (x2) – David Wilkinson.
Penalties: 3 points (x1) – David Wilkinson.

Acknowledgement and credits to Shell Oliver for sharing her additional photos – her full portfolio for the game against Farnham can be enjoyed on this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LQtn2xpcVqYYVB2H7

No Staghounds 2nd XV game today to report on – we were handed a walkover win due to Chinnor pulling out of the Gauchos ROC London Shield league. Latest League tables attached for both the 1st XV & 2nd XV.

Next week: Saturday 13th December 2025. CS Stags 1863 are at home to Old Alleynian RFC - Kings House School Sports Ground, Riverside Drive, Chiswick, London W4 2SP – 2.00 p.m. kick off on Grass Pitch 1 (in front of the pavilion). It’s our Vets and Former Players Day / Club Christmas Lunch / Friends, Parents, Partners, and Supporters Day - Poster attached on all links below - so get your pre-match lunch bookings in and pay by tomorrow’s deadline now! £35/- to CS RUGBY 1863 / 56-00-33 / 48028053

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/civilservicefootballclubru/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/civilstags
https://www.linkedin.com/company/66883452/admin/page-posts/published/