Tough on Staines

In the first 5 minutes each side kicked a penalty. The visitors kicked off; 3 more kicks followed, keeping Staines in the opposition half where they got the first penalty, kicked by Foster. They dropped the restart kick and Barnes were awarded a free-kick at the first scrum. This was run by the pack then centre Jones made yards and fed fullback Gower; Staines were penalised 7 metres out and Gower kicked the first of his 17 points. Barnes attacked from the restart but at their second scrum they were penalised. The visitors advanced to the opposition 22 where it was Barnes' throw-in. From that the home team were soon back in the other half but the attack broke down when they were penalised. Staines kicked for a line-out into the other half and released to centre Pruce who got to the 22 where the defence was penalised. Foster's kick from centre field missed. Barnes kicked the 22 drop-out long; Staines collected it but soon lost possession and in no time opposition wing Wehbe was weaving his way past defenders to touch down at the corner after 13 minutes. An excellent conversion followed. Barnes kicked the restart back to touch. Staines kept ball tight after the line-out before dropping possession under pressure; advantage was played then the ref. said Barnes passed a long one forward. They were penalised at the scrum in centre field and Foster kicked the points on 17 minutes.

Staines kicked the restart back; a second forward pass from Barnes was signalled at the opposition 10 metre line. Scrum pressure from the home team's pack got them the ball back and launched an attack which got close then another put-in 7 metres out. From the scrum Barnes varied their recycling to get a man advantage for 10 minutes. They opted for a 5 metre line-out; they got close again but the defence held then Barnes got another attacking scrum 5 metres out. A back-row pick-up fed scrumhalf Reeves who insisted on forcing his way over at the corner early in the second quarter. Another excellent conversion followed. Barnes were soon back in the opposition 22 where the touchline ended their wide attack. The line-out resulted in a Staines scrum which Barnes wheeled to get their own put-in then the visitors got a free-kick at that. They kicked ahead then a Barnes' error gave them another scrum just inside the opposition half and another free-kick at that. This time their pack ran the ball but passed forward when releasing wider. From the scrum centre Lewis started Barnes' next attack which ended with a comfortably-fielded chip-through. A period of rather unstructured play followed; Barnes transgressed at the next scrum; Staines ran the free-kick then got a penalty which wasn't kicked into touch. Barnes did put the ball into touch in the other half then from well inside their own half Staines kept ball tight through several phases. Barnes threw a line-out not-straight then were penalised at the following scrum. The kick took the visitors to their line-out just outside the opposition 22. Barnes stole that; kicks were exchanged; Staines put together an even better sequence of phases mostly tight. This resulted in a Barnes' line-out then another with Barnes having been forced backwards. Staines charged a kick down but their opponents got the next put-in and the next penalty at that. From their line-out just inside the opposition half Barnes first kept ball in then their backs advanced positively. After four recycles Staines forced a turnover 3 metres out and cleared to touch at the whistle.

The visitors lost a second man for 10 minutes right after the restart. The penalty was kicked for a line-out 16 metres from their opponents' line. From that the pack drove to the line and rumbled over with Givens on the ball on 2 minutes. Gower added. Despite an error after the restart, Barnes were soon back in the other half with their best attack so far. They kept going without any stoppages through many varied phases; Lock Dumbleton got to within inches then Prop Remfry forced his way over near the posts before six minutes. Gower added. Barnes attacked from the restart but were penalised not far into the other half for not releasing. They then stole the line-out that followed the kick to touch. The ball was kicked for a wing to run onto but this went into touch. Again Barnes stole the line-out in their own and this led to the next try. After keeping ball tight it was released to centre then Givens made yards and the forwards created a platform to set Jones free for great run to the line near the posts for another 7-pointer on 9 minutes. Staines regained from their restart and advanced before Barnes hacked a loose ball up field to a Staines line-out deep in their own half. The visitors kicked over; Barnes attacked but were stopped by accidental offside. After the scrum, the visitors recycled three times before kicking long; Gower returned this with interest for a line-out 12 metres from Staines' goal line. Barnes stole that; Lewis and Gower moved the ball about then to Wehbe who deceived the last defender wide-out then ran in behind to the posts after 16 minutes; another 7-pointer.

Reeves ran away with the restart ball then Staines regained when a pass didn't go to hand. The visitors got the next scrum after three tight recycles, just in Barnes' half. From that put together a good sequence of phases, mainly tight, but without advancing, to get a penalty. They kicked for a line-out but had that stolen again; Lewis broke through and kicked for Wehbe to run onto, but the ball just evaded him and ran into touch 6 metres from the try line. Staines threw the line-out not-straight then redeemed that with a turnover. They got the next put-in and cleared to touch. Barnes threw theirs not-straight then were penalised at the scrum. The kick took the visitors to their line-out at the opposition 10 metres line. From it they kicked almost laterally to touch on the far side then stole Barnes' line-out. They recycled well then regained a chip through the line then kicked for territory to touch outside of Barnes' 22. The home team's backs counterattacked from the line-out with Jones making a break and kicking for Wehbe. The visitors dealt with this and put the ball into touch at the opposition 22. Again Barnes' three-quarters countered; wing Hersey made yards but the defence got back and held to get the scrum put-in 9 metres from their own line. They cleared to touch; Barnes threw long passes, the last one to hard to give their opponents another scrum. Staines were penalised at that; Barnes kicked for a closer line-out then their pack set to drive to the line and Prop Burgess grounded the ball on 72 minutes. The conversion was good. Barnes secured the restart and got ball quickly wide but Staines forced an error and got the next scrum. The visitors put centre Major through a gap then Givens intercepted and Lewis initiated another attack. Wehbe chipped and regained and passed to scrumhalf Henry who fed Hersey; Hersey returned it to Wehbe who went over wide-out with 3 minutes to go. Gower's first miss. Barnes secured the restart and sent Burgess on an individual rumble. The visitors got the subsequent last scrum and recycled well before the whistle.

Very hot, 90% blue sky, Barnes' pitch firm with good long grass; no wind to speak of.