Reality Check!

The visitors kicked off against the wind and regained possession. The ball was recycled twice then kicked across field and off an opposition player into touch 10 metres just into Amersham's half. From the line-out Barnes advanced at the far wing then recycled 3 more times before they got the first scrum put-in 26 metres out. They went wide and made yards after first keeping the ball in then scrumhalf Reeves broke close to the breakdown and fed lock Cazalet who crossed not far from the posts before 3 minutes. The wind blew the conversion wide. Barnes secured the restart and returned an up-and-under that got them a penalty at their 10 metre line after the ball came down. This was kicked for line-out 26 metres from the opposition line. The wind blew the throw-in not straight and after the scrum Amersham kicked diagonally to touch 18 metres into the other half. From their line-out the visitors kept the ball tight before trying an up-and-under that they regained. They advanced a bit recycling 4 times before being penalised for obstruction. Amersham kicked to the corner but this went dead giving Barnes a scrum back. From this fullback Greenwood broke out wide until the defence forced an error to get the next put-in 15 metres inside their half. After that Amersham kicked very well to put the ball into touch 11 metres from the visitors line. Barnes kept the ball in the maul from the line-out; it soon went down and somehow Amersham were awarded a scrum 10 metres out. From it they kept ball close and after recycling twice got a penalty 5 metres out in centre field after 12 minutes and scrumhalf Thompson kicked the points

Amersham returned the restart with a big up-and-under that resulted in a penalty for the visitors at their 22. The kick didn't find touch and Amersham ran the ball back. After errors by both teams Barnes were penalised defending 12 metres inside their half and this took Amersham to a line-out just inside the 22. They were penalised after the line-out and then Barnes worked their way up field with a series of 3 more penalties. The last was 5 metres out and also predictably got them a man advantage for 10 minutes. The visitors chose a scrum; Amersham were awarded a free-kick at that and kicked ahead. The visitors ran the ball back and the defence forced an error to get the next scrum after some near breakthroughs. Amersham kicked for territory after the scrum then got a penalty for not releasing 12 metres into the opposition half. They opted to take the 3 points and the kick hit a post and bounced out. Barnes soon kicked the ball to touch into the other half; Amersham took a quick line-out before the visitors were penalised again. A good kick took the home team to their line-out just inside te opposition 22. Barnes stole that and cleared to touch but not far. The next line-out resulted in a scrum for the visitors. They kept the ball in the scrum and drove a bit to get a penalty and kicked that for another line-out 8 metres into the other half before throwing that not-straight. A puzzling penalty against the visitors was given at the scrum. The kick took Amersham to another attacking line-out at the 22. From this they advanced recycling mostly tight 5 times to get a penalty 5 metres out and Thompson took the points and the lead at 33 minutes.

Amersham returned the restart with an up-and-under; the visitors dealt with this but were soon penalised 15 metres inside their half and Thompson tried for the points again but missed. The 22 drop-out became a penalty for Barnes there but their kick didn't find touch. Amersham ran the ball wide strongly until a try-saving tackle into touch 13 metres out by wing Riley. Amersham dealt with the next up-and-under and just got the ball away. They ran the ball through a few phases before the defence forced an error at the same place. Four kicks followed the scrum; the last a drop-goal attempt by Amersham that went wide before the whistle.

The visitors kicked back the high second half restart out on the full giving Amersham an attacking line-out 30 metres out. From it they recycled twice then got a penalty for a high tackle. This within 2 minutes and Thompson added another 3 points. The next 20 minutes were stalemate with both defences good. First the visitors got into the opposition 22 then later Barnes had to hold out an Amersham attack close to their line. Next the visitors broke out, attacking to 5 metres from the opposition line. Towards the end of the third quarter Barnes started to gain a much bigger share of the ball and territory then after 25 minutes Greenwood opened up the defence to send wing Riley to the corner for the visitors to retake the lead then Williams-Davies sent over a very good conversion. After the restart the visitors were soon attacking again from a line-out after a break by Reeves then Amersham having to clear to touch following a kick for territory. Barnes advanced with good recycling to get close to the line and got a 5 metre scrum. They kept the ball in but Amersham's pack held; the visitors recycled close to get another 5 metre scrum from which their pack did get over the line but the ball came out and it was sent wide for a solo effort from Riley in the corner after 32 minutes. The conversion was wide. Amersham regained the restart stayed on the attack with most of the possession to get a penalty just inside the 22 with 4 minutes to go. This would have got them a losing bonus point but the kicked was wide. The visitors forced an error to get the last scrum after the 22 drop-out. After it Amersham won a turnover then were penalised for crossing not long before the whistle.

Windy, overcast, the pitch firm; dry beforehand, there was some very light drizzle during the game.