An extraordinary weekend in a season of extraordinary Barnes Rugby weekends, with our men travelling to Tonbridge Juddians in Kent, and delivering one of their best performances of the season to win a highly enjoyable contest 36 - 43.

With one more game left, against already crowned champions Esher at Barn Elms on 27th April, we have our eyes firmly fixed on 2nd spot in the league, all we need to do is beat Esher, what a cracking finale for this season. In winning last Saturday, Barnes reached 101 league points, which eclipsed our final total last season of 99, this was one of Director of Rugby Jack Heald’s objectives before this season started so he was rightfully “well-chuffed” at notching up the ton.

Rich Fenech, our Honorary Secretary, was at TJ’s and witnessed the performance, his words are below my summary.

When the Men took to the pitch at 3pm, our Women were well into their celebrations, having lifted their trophy at Twickenham as couple of hours before. Playing 3 other teams and then a final, a squad of 33 eased through to the final against Silhillians and emerged victorious against a team a league above them, winning 22-10, and taking away a magnificent trophy and also the accolade of having raised over £12000 for the Injured Players Foundation!

Our victorious 1st XV captain, Ruth Mottershead said about the day:

“Saturday was just a magical day. To play at Twickenham is a dream, and to win the tournament as a whole squad of 1’s and 2’s was the most incredible feeling. Really well deserved by the team and I couldn’t be prouder!”

We couldn’t be prouder of you and your amazing band of Barnow sisters either Ruth. Thank you!

Somehow the Women managed to field a team against Hammersmith & Fulham the day after, quite how is beyond me, and not surprisingly they came second 35-5, but who cares, we won the cup, and the players created a memory they will never forget. Women’s Chairman Andy Pickering shares his view of the day below.

Whilst the Men’s 1st XV play the last game of the season at Barn Elms against Esher on 27th April, this weekend Barnes Originals will be strutting their funky stuff at home against old friends and foes Richmond Heavies, in the last leg of the Bosch-Crabtree Cup, I believe it is 1-1 in the series so far this season so to the victor the spoils! Kick off at Barn Elms is 3pm if you are looking for an excuse to get some fresh air.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael Whitfield - President Barnes RFC

Tonbridge Juddians 36 - 43 Barnes Men’s 1st XV
Words by Honorary Secretary Richard Fenech

On a glorious sunny afternoon at the Slade, with a crowd of well over 200, most of whom had enjoyed a brilliant TJ’s Sponsors Day lunch, with the local Mayor in full regalia.

An almost ‘cup final’ like mood had TJ’s explode out the blocks, putting us under immediate defensive pressure and scoring only minutes after the game kicked off.

No sooner had we restarted than TJ’s came looking and finding their second try of the afternoon and converting, which extended their lead to 12-0.

It started to feel like an uncomfortable afternoon lay ahead for Barnow!

Our fears were unfounded as slowly and surely, we started to win some ball and move it around.

Every single player was involved in some brilliant carries, punching holes in the TJ’s defence, and recycling the ball at speed.

The boys displayed great composure, coupled with a clear belief in themselves that all too often this season has been missing, but not today!

We grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and nullified any ascendancy TJ’s thought they had.

In fact, TJ’s body language under their posts looked more and more despondent as fly-half Tom Willstead kept knocking the conversions over - four in total.

At Henley we were out scrummaged, and TJ’s were close to doing the same again, but we adapted and fixed the problems shut down that opportunity for the home side too.

Skipper Josh Davies, in his last away game for Barnes, was the ref whisper and it was TJ’s that saw yellow twice, and not us for a change!

Our lineout was in the main, imperious and kudos to Joe Murphy who was the pinnacle of it all match long. All of sudden, what had looked like a potential thumping in the early exchanges was possibly one of the best ever games we have played away.

Our backs too had an attacking edge we have lacked at times this season, with man-of-the-match Jacques Birch notching up an excellent hattrick, with other tries scored by Cam Ruddock, Pete “The Meat” Weightman and Paul Webb.

All the players were brave, honest and played with such confidence, led brilliantly by JD, who had one of his best games as Captain.

Outstanding BARNOW!

Barnes Women triumph at Twickenham – words by Women’s Chairman Andrew Pickering

Before we get to Andy’s match report a few choice quotes from Ruth Mottershead, 1st XV Captain, Rosie Price 2nd XV Captain, and Club Chairman, Collum Mannix:

Ruth Mottershead - 1st XV Captain:
“Saturday was just a magical day. To play at Twickenham is a dream, and to win the tournament as a whole squad of 1’s and 2’s was the most incredible feeling. Really well deserved by the whole squad, and I couldn’t be prouder!”

Rosie Price - 2nd XV Captain:
“Over the last few months, Barnes Women have been raising money for the Injured Players Fund. We were incredibly proud of our fundraising efforts on behalf of such an important cause and were thrilled to be able to celebrate by running out at Twickenham on Saturday. Running through the tunnel at the home of English rugby is something we will never forget. It was amazing to see so many women playing high quality rugby and I'm so proud of all 34 players from Barnes who took to the pitch. It was an unforgettable day, made even more special by Barnes taking home the win!”

Colum Mannix - Barnes RFC Club Chairman
“There was no better piece of turf than the green and pleasant expanses of Twickenham to serve as the perfect canvas on which to display the artistry and flair of our very own Barnes RFC senior women's rugby squad on Saturday.
It was a day when Friendship was reaffirmed, Rugby was played, and Life was lived.
I, for one, was proud to be there!”

And now here is Andy’s take on the wondrous occasion:
Having excitedly and nervously accepted the invitation of the Injured Players Foundation to participate in the inaugural women’s charity tournament at Twickenham the Barnes squad of 34 players arrived at Twickenham on Saturday morning with a mood akin to Christmas morning or the first day back at pre-season training. The excitement was palpable.

Having been set a challenge of raising a minimum of £7,500, the squad thought that a demeaning sum for such a worthy charity and having topped £12,000 were given the honour of using the home changing room. Having seen the standards afforded the England men they now have firm ideas of how Barn Elms can be improved.

After a good 15 minutes wandering around the changing rooms and then out of the tunnel into the cathedral like stadium, it was time to prepare for the first of 4 matches. The coaching team had spent many hours creating an algorithm that meant each of the players had the same amount of time on the pitch and the algorithm also built in winning 2 of the 3 group games and then the 1st place play off.

The first game was against fellow surrey club Farnham, and Barnes very quickly got into their stride and systems, working their way to the Farnham line where Annie was the first Barnes woman to score at Twickenham. A brace for Rachel and a solo try