A very good weekend of Barnow rugby last time out, with over 70 players travelling to Old Albanians. The Men’s 2s and Barnes Outriders kicked off proceedings recording two excellent results, the 2s won 15-29 and the Outriders delivered a huge win 21-90. In the Men’s 1st XV game, it was a thrilling encounter with Barnes denied a clear try at the death that would have secured victory - it was not to be. The Women travelled to Dorking and just came up short 26-10 against a strong side.

This weekend sees the 1st and 2nd XV both at home, with the Outriders making up the home trio of Men’s sides. Hopefully both the 2s and Outriders will be able to kick off early so they can provide additional vocal support as the Men’s 1st XV take on arch rivals Dorking at 3pm.

Our rivalry against Dorking goes back over 20 years, it has been nip and tuck in every game. Sometimes Dorking would win at the death to beak our hearts, then we would return the heartache and win the rematch. Last season saw us complete a rare home and away double against Dorking and we know from previous seasons that they will come to Barn Elms with vengeance in mind. Last week it appeared they had several key players missing as they went down at home to an in-form Canterbury side 15-38. But we too will want to get back to winning ways to appease the sense of injustice we feel at the final whistle last week. Asa with all games between these two sides it promises to be an absolute cracker. No quarter given, none expected, just great Nat 2 rugby, bring it on!

As if the rugby wasn’t enough, it is also Ladies Day at Barnes, and we welcome one and all to Barn Elms for another day of brilliant Barnow rugby. You can buy tickets on Fanbase here:
Tickets for Barnes vs Dorking

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - President Barnes Rugby Club.

Old Albanians 32 - 26 Barnes Men’s 1st XV - words by Jack Heald and Colum Mannix
Barnes Rugby club nearly had a perfect day out in St Albans where we took over 70 players to play three Men’s games: 1st XV, 2nd XV and our 3rd XV, Barnes Outriders.

The 2’s and Outriders played before the main event, the 2s winning 15-29, and the Outriders proving far too strong for the home team, romping to a thumping 21-90 win.
In the 1st XV gamed Barnes were winning 26-14 with 20 minutes to go. A combination of a couple of yellow cards, injuries in the back line and fatigue saw us concede three scores in the last quarter, going down 32-26 in the end.

The last play of the game saw a forward try under the post denied which would have won us the match. Video evidence is very clear, OAs players offside on a number of occasions during the thrust to get over the line and what looked like a clear try were all ignored by the officials to deny us victory.

Director of Rugby Jack Heald said: “whilst the result of that final play was incredibly frustrating, we should have locked the game out 20 minutes from time. There were of course a lot of positives to come from the game, it was a huge step up from a team performance point of view. We were obviously gutted to lose at the death, but the penalty count against us towards the end of the game didn’t help, we can’t fault the effort of the lads, games like that can swing either way. Particularly pleasing for me was to see a hattrick from Jacques Birch who looked back to his hungry best showed real appetite for the try line”.

Jack added: “In terms of player of the match, both Jacques Birch and Kene Eze put in outstanding performances. Jacques, after a stop start season last year through injury, showed why he’s scored 51 tries in 55 appearances for Barnes. Kene, a new lad from Chelmsford, has been building into his role outstandingly well. Jumping up from Level 7 he’s taken to level 4 like a duck to water with Barnes this year”.

Also, on hand to witness this great game of rugby was Barnes Club Chairman Colum Mannix.

“If you ever wanted to see what a game of competitive rugby is like in Nat 2, this was it. It was a wild roller coaster from start to finish, nothing in it, hammer and tongs, kitchen sink, right to the final whistle. To say we were unlucky not to win in that last play would be an understatement, you always have to choose your words very carefully in these situations but let’s just say I was standing on the dead ball line, less than 20 feet away and took a video that clearly shows that the ball was clearly grounded and a try was scored. A crying shame that the officials could see what I did!

Both teams were a credit to their clubs, and the OAs are incredible hosts, I had a great day, and we love playing them home and away. Ultimately at two scores up with 20 mins to go we tied ourselves up in a few knots and let them back in. Very proud of our lads, they have a lot more to give!”

BOOM! Minis bring their rugby vibe with primary school’s floodlit tag - words by Boris Pomroy

Friday brought back one of our favourite events on the calendar. The School’s Floodlit Tag Festival has been running for over a decade and is an opportunity for children in primary schools throughout the area to try rugby for the first time. Last weekend, over a dozen teams of students in Years 3 and 4 took to the pitch and had the time of their lives as they discovered this amazing sport.

A huge thank you to our friends at Chiswick Rugby Club for hosting us, to members of our junior teams who refereed and above all, to James Parker, who organised the whole thing.
Schools Floodlit Tag Festival will be back on the 25th September, this time for Years 5 and 6 - we can’t wait!