Sticky Barnacles

Each team got deep into the other's 22 in the early minutes before being repulsed. Barnes then spent some time in the opposition half but outside of the 22. From their line-out 9 metres inside their half Elthamians released to centre then recycled twice before kicking well towards to touch in the other half. It resulted in a line-out for the home team 14 metres from Barnes line. From the line-out they started a rolling maul that was not well defended and the pack got over wide out with no. 8 Nelmes on the ball at 12 minutes. Fullback White converted.

After an extended period of to and fro the teams exchanged 4 kicks with Elthamians dropping the last one at their 22. They were penalised at the scrum and the visitors kicked for a line-out 8 metres out. The forwards drove over at the corner at 22 minutes. A very good touchline conversion from fullback O'Toole followed.

The restart resulted in a Barnes' scrum 30 metres from their line. From it they kicked for territory; Elthamians' White ran the ball back, skilfully chipped over the opposition and regained and made more yards. After one recycle wide the Ref. went back to award a penalty 20 metres out in centre field and White kicked the points at 25 minutes.

Barnes stayed in the opposition half after the restart until they were penalised closed to halfway. Elthamians kicked for a line-out 19 metres from the visitors’ line. When Old E's set up a rolling maul, Barnes did not attempt to defend it and the drive was penalised. The visitors kicked for a line-out and got another penalty soon after releasing wide. This took them to 17 metres from Elthamians line and another line-out. They varied their options from that then chipped to the line. The defence touched down for a 22 drop-out that was taken incorrectly giving Barnes a put-in at the 22. The defence held before the halftime whistle. Elthamians had been pressurised into making rather a lot of errors during the half.

Old E's regained their second half restart and had most of the possession in the first 10 minutes with some very good recycling. The visitors' hooker Alteirac had a nice run in the opposition 22. Barnes had the first chance for points in the second half at 15 minutes when O'Toole's penalty kick hit a post and stayed out.

Later the visitors held out 2 good attacks by the home team that ended 6 metres out and 12 metres out. This led to a scrum put-in for Barnes just inside their 22. From it wing Carlisle raced away into the other half where the ball was recycled wide again. The next breakdown was at the 22 near touch and from it lock Collins broke blind to the line then ran in under the posts at 73 minutes for Barnes to take the lead for the first time. O'Toole added.

Elthamians regained their high restart and advanced to the 22. They then worked their way onwards with 14 phases, mostly close, until replacement forward Fordam getting over at 76 minutes halfway between touch and the posts to retake the lead. White converted.

Now the visitors regained their restart and put together 9 phases with centres Holmes and Hersey prominent to get a penalty in the last minute. This was 11 metres into the opposition half not far from centre field and O'Toole wasn't going to miss.

Cool, overcast, bright, a little wind with the very good pitch quite firm.