On a glorious chilly Winter's day 150 ex-players ate, drunk and were very merry together as Barnes 1st XV overcame Clifton to win 27-25 in nail biter!

In a moment of poetic brilliance, Vets skipper penned these beautiful words today, less than 24 hours after the event... presumably still drunk...I am sure his father-in-law learnt lot about Rich yesterday!

Here are his son in laws musings:

Brilliant blue sky, sparkling frost and shoes looking rather dapper too!
Shirt crisp and pressed though Tie still stained from years a past.
“See you later Darling.....no not too late!”
Taxi...trains with a brisk walk too....Rocks Lane destination two by two.

Faces old and many anew, a pint of Ruddles?.....yes please Chap..Oh ok make it two!
Same old Club....same old feeling....something special something with meaning.
Hustle and bustle as more ale spills....stories of Tries, Teenage tantrums and business deals
Chairman buzzing, Angus puffing, Zoe not far off screaming & crying!

Seated and greeted with blessings all skewed,
Clifton guests feeling it’s all a little rude!
Scrumptious hot food and laughter awash as Barry recites tales of truth and woe.
Time for piping crumble and another visit to the loo queue,
Barnes RFC, crickey how we love you!

Red wine with brie devoured hastily as Kick Off already has things looking feisty.
Grasping coats, scarves and bottles of Chateauneuf the Barnow Army now onward march.
1s impress and play what we dream....though it’s all so different from ‘our’ glorious days!
Chatter and cheer from the touchline brims as Green & Gold go on to win.

Freezing brass monkeys rushing all the way back
Jugs of ale where Hot Chocolate would do, thank goodness Zoe cooked curry too!
Banter and laughter gives way to song as some Veterans gingerly go find their way home
Only six but feels like midnight as another Harrodian day fades away
Bless this Club in whatever way for everything rugby has brought our way.

Thanks to all of you that attended making it such an amazing day.

Thanks to our brilliant sponsors for the day: Rich Fenech himself for FSML Ltd, Simon Cooke for APAM, Sean Slade for Appley Properties and Andrew Marshall for the Brown Cow and The Proper Pie Company.

You are all incredible and brilliant - thank you! Without your amazing support we would not be the club we are today.

And a very special thank you Zoe, Abby and the rest of the team for cooking and serving us all day and night and last, but not least, a massive thank you to Angus Graham for his love, dedication, blood, sweat and tears in delivering for us all such a fantastic day and my dog bowl of Guinness too!

What a privilege it is to be Chairman of this wonderful club... even my hangover has nearly gone :-)

Onwards and Upwards the Barnow Army!

Love and Kisses

Michael "Rhino" Whitfield

Chairman - Barnes RFC