Tring defended heartily throughout -

Barnes returned the kick-off with an up-and-under; Tring kicked too far to a 22 drop-out. Tring kicked again after recycling 3 times; Barnes ran the ball then an error gave possession away. Tring were into touch 26 metres from Barnes' line then Barnes threw the first line-out not-straight. Tring's scrum was pushed back for Barnes to get their own put-in then a free-kick at that. This was run then kicked to touch into the other half. After the line-out Tring soon kicked before a dropped pass gave them another scrum. From this one they got the ball away and advanced; they recycled 4 times to get a penalty just outside the 22 in centre field after 7 minutes and Newton kicked the points. The visitors secured the restart and recycled 3 times before chipping to touch near halfway. They were offside after the line-out and Barnes ran the penalty; soon an error gave Tring another scrum at which the opposition were penalised. Tring kicked for touch into the other half; a Barnes error trying to stop the ball going into touch gave the visitors possession and they recycled 6 times to get another easily kickable penalty at 12 minutes and Newton obliged.

Next Barnes regained their restart but were soon turned over. Tring recycled a couple of times before kicking ahead. This was cleared to touch 13 metres inside Barnes' half. An error soon gave the home team the next scrum in the other half. From it they were forced backwards while recycling 3 times but then won a penalty. This was kicked to touch 20 metres into the opposition half. From the line-out Barnes tried quicker wide ball and advanced with 3 recycles before the defence forced an error to get a put-in 5 metres out. Tring cleared to touch at their 22; Barnes recycled 5 times without advancing but did get a penalty that was kicked for another line-out, now 5 metres out. This was thrown not-straight then Tring got a penalty at the scrum that followed. The kick took them to their line-out just outside the 22. At the breakdown after that Barnes got a scrum. From it they released to centre where Jones broke through and after quick recycling he got the ball back to go over near the posts at 24 minutes and O'Toole converted.

Kicks were exchanged after the restart the last to touch 14 metres into Barnes' half. From the line-out Barnes launched an up-and-under. The visitors kept ball in hand and at an unplayable ruck they got the next put-in still 14 metres into the opposition half. Their scrum was pushed back and Barnes got the ball and advanced into the other half keeping the ball close to the forwards and got the next scrum. From that they kicked to touch into their opponents’ 22 after a few recycles. They stole the line-out and released to their backs. A seemingly inevitable try wasn’t scored when an inside break was tried but the defence was penalised 5 metres out. From the 5 metre line-out the drive was loose but lock Collins got over after 32 minutes. The conversion missed. Barnes secured the restart and returned an up-and-under. The visitors dealt with this and soon got the next put-in. There were two more scrums before half time with play staying far from the 22s.

The second half started with errors from both teams and neither side got far from halfway until Barnes got a penalty in their own half and kicked for a line-out 16 metres into the other. From that they attacked wide to get to 4 metres out with a break by wing Riley and 4 recycles. The defence held to get a 5 metre put-in. The visitors chipped through the line then a Barnes error gave Tring a line-out further up field from which they kicked to touch. Barnes were penalised soon after releasing from their line-out and kicking. Tring kicked to touch in the other half. From that they kept the ball tight and recycled 4 times to get another penalty 27 metres out in centre field and Newton kicked that to reduce the deficit to 3 points at 11 minutes. Barnes forced an error soon after the restart; kicks were exchanged then they kicked to the line resulting in a 22 drop-out. This was long and Tring were penalised at the next breakdown in the opposition half. A very good kick took Barnes to their line-out 12 metres out. Their forwards kept the ball in and got another penalty 10 metres out. From the next line-out 5 metres out no. 8 Popham got over but was adjudged held-up. The 5 metre scrum was followed by another at which Barnes were pushed back. The ball was recycled and Tring were penalised 15 metres out. The next line-out was 7 metres out and this time the ball was released to centre and after 3 recycles prop Scott-Bowden got through the line and the ball was got to centre Jones to touch down at the posts early in the final quarter. O'Toole added.

The visitors regained from their restart and got an attack going before finding themselves defending again close to their line. When Barnes were penalised they ran out before an isolated player allowed Barnes to counter-attack again. The next scrum was to Tring in their half. They advanced from that but a hacked loose ball sent them back to their line-out. The next loose ball was got to wing Greenwood who nearly got away before he sent O'Toole to the posts at the half-hour. He added. Again Tring regained their restart; they were soon turned over and Barnes kicked into the other half. At the next error Barnes hacked the ball ahead and got a put-in 7 metres from the opposition line. Options were tried by their backs and these got them a penalty 6 metres out. A scrum was chosen and the pack drove to the line with Popham getting the touchdown with 5 minutes to go. O’Toole added. This time Barnes secured the restart then soon they were penalised for crossing. Tring ran this and recycled well to get a put-in inside the opposition 22. Barnes took the scrum against the head and broke ahead wide before kicking. The visitors dealt with this and were awarded a penalty after a couple of recycles. They ran again and advanced well before the whistle.