Barnes RFC Vets XV

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5th April 2008

Barnes Vets 69 - Rosslyn Park 5

Well to borrow from the former first black Miss America turned soul singing diva, in Vanessa Williams’ own words we certainly ‘saved the best for last’. What a send off for Clappy and what a way to finish a season that’s seen the highs of beating Richmond but also the lows of the results in the 2 weeks prior to this game. We raced out of the blocks from the opening whistle and bar a dodgy 15 minutes either side of half time, we totally dominated this match. I don’t know what it is- maybe it was the hard dry pitch; the fact we were playing at home; because it was the last game- but when we get the bit between our teeth, we really do start chomping. For those of us who have played in perhaps the more disappointing games of the season, know that those results are but mere aberrations when we play with the verve and élan we displayed on Saturday- I really do think we are a match for any team- even those Occasional bastards we played at the beginning of the season. To run up 69 points was a credit to the 15 man running game; to only concede 5 was testament to a defence that has improved immeasurably across the season.

And it really was a 15 man effort. The 69 points included some ridiculous individual points tallies. Rarely Wrong came away with at least 2, Laffy scored 4 and even Dizz charged over the line 4 times- eager to impress his new bird (who I must point out is very nice and of a more suitable age bracket than his previous squeezes). I must have missed somebody out because I think there were 11 tries. However all these scores were usually the result of industrious forward build up and then slick passing through the backs- a very satisfying way to end the season.

But onwards and upwards. We have Jersey coming up in a couple of weeks (Bruv I’m sure will be sending another load of missives at some stage) and then of course the club dinner on the 25th. I shifted quite a few tickets and I know there are more people that want one- could you please send me cheques for £25 (made payable to Barnes RFC) and I’ll make sure that you get a space.

I think we’re also going to do touch on Tuesday nights again come July- so try and make yourselves available for that; it’s a good laugh if only to have a beer afterward and laugh at Gerry C’s mercurial running and Dizz’s passing.