A pretty good second weekend for Barnes Rugby Club, kicked off by record numbers of Minis and Juniors swarming all over Barn Elms and the BEST pitches opposite the clubhouse, resplendent after its annual spruce up led by Chris Williams and a band of cheery helpers, ready in good time to welcome one ands all for our Ladies Day.

On the pitch at Barn Elms, Barnes Outriders, in only their second league game, beat Richmond Normans 26-14, whilst on the neighbouring pitch, our Men’s 2nd XV trounced Richmond Saxons 40-3, Ollie Walker scoring four tries in the second half.
The Men’s 1st XV drew 20-20 with Henley Hawks in an entertaining (if not a little heart-in-mouth at the end) National League 2 East match.

On Sunday the Women’s 2 XV lost agonisingly 17-14 to Wasps Ladies in a cup match but they are now up and running this season!

The match reports for each of the games are below.

This weekend we right back in the thick of it, the Men’s 1st XV take on their fiercest of rivals, Dorking, at The Big Field so it is home advantage to Dorking, unbeaten this season, already having taken the scalps of much favoured newcomers London Welsh and Guernsey, winning away on the island is never easy!

The 2nd XV, 2 out of 2 in their league so far, travel to take on Bishop Stortford, always a toughie, and talking of tough, Barnes Originals take on Richmond Heavies at Richmond in first leg of the Bosch-Crabtree cup, so there are no home games on Saturday, but you can get your Barnes Rugby fix on Sunday as the Women’s 1st XV take on Westcliff at 2pm at Barn Elms. Please do get down and support them, they would love it!

And finally, the Women’s section are holding an auction for two absolutely prime tickets for the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final and you can bid here:
Women's World Cup Final Ticket Auction
Here's to a brilliant weekend of Barnes Rugby.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield – President Barnes Rugby Club

Wasps Women 17 – Barnes Women’s 2nd XV - words by Eli Russell

Arriving in Twyford on a gloomy day, Barnes found themselves overwhelmed by the strong physicality of their hosts in the beginning of the match.

Although gaining promising territory through a few strong phases and a big carry from Vic, a quick turnover handed the momentum to Wasps.

The hosts were quick to capitalise, finding space out wide to cross the line for the opening try. They maintained control and added two more tries, extending their lead to 17-0.
Unlike the weather, going downhill as it started to rain, Barnes took the opposite approach and was determined to regain the control of the game.

Our defence tightened with a determined stand on our own 5-metre line. The momentum began to shift when Liv ignited the attack with a powerful run, followed by a sharp break from Atlanta, and a strong carry from Lou.

Though still trailing, Barnes continued to build through the phases. Jess produced a brilliant individual break, getting past defenders before passing to Atlanta for a well-taken try, outpacing the defenders. Izzy converted to make the score 17-7.
Barnes kept the pressure on, and Liv once again broke through the line, before the ball found Sasha, who powered over for Barnes’ second try. Another conversion from Izzy brought the score to 17-14.

Despite a spirited comeback, Barnes fell just short, with the final score Wasps 17 – 14 Barnes.

Barnes 2nd XV 40-3 Richmond Saxons - words by Coaches James Love and Tommy Burkett
The game kicked off early with Barnes 2nd XV starting strongly, exiting well and applying pressure through set-piece dominance and abrasive forward play. Despite the early pressure, it was Richmond who struck first with a penalty. Barnes responded immediately, gaining field position and setting up a powerful driving line-out, followed by a series of pick-and-goes that saw Max Mayor crash over for their opening try.

Barnes continued to apply pressure with aggressive line speed, and when turnovers came, they capitalised on Richmond’s poor discipline to gain further territory. The pressure told, and Francis Ogboru powered over from close range. Just before half-time, Toby Tierney finished an excellent move sparked by a sharp line-break from Ollie Walker, who combined superbly with Harvey Graham. All three first-half conversions were calmly slotted by Harvey, giving Barnes a strong lead at the break.

Barnes got the second half underway with a beautifully weighted kick that floated neatly into the hands of our flying winger, Ollie Walker. He danced past the forwards, who looked as if they’d just been caught mid–loo break, before chipping the ball cheekily over Richmond’s winger and full-back. It was almost a try for the ages—until gravity and coordination conspired against him, and he fumbled the ball over the line. Richmond gratefully received a goal-line drop-out, while the sidelines rang with replacement Cam Ruddock’s heckle: “That’s a fine!”

Richmond’s clearance didn’t get far. Barnes came charging back through Rich Paddock, but another knock-on spoiled the fun and handed Richmond a scrum at midfield. Their backs collectively exhaled in relief, no doubt thanking the rugby gods for small mercies.
Time and again Richmond tried to breach the Barnes defence, but our line speed and organisation left them looking like someone trying to run through a brick wall armed only with a spoon. After ten minutes of futility, and clearly exhausted by the Barnes pack’s enthusiasm for physical contact, Richmond resorted to a kick at goal from just outside the 22.

Richmond had the occasional spell of pressure, but still couldn’t find a crack. Big Charlie, who was clearly enjoying himself, decided it was time to introduce his old mate - the Richmond 13 - to a fresh patch of turf. The impact was so mighty the crowd swore t
hey saw the Richmond centre’s soul briefly attempt to exit through his mouth.

Barnes’ work rate off the ball was immense. Penalty after penalty came our way for Richmond clinging onto rucks like toddlers refusing to give up their toys. With 20 minutes left, poor Rich Paddock dropped to his knees claiming, “I’m seeing stars, Tommy!” Cue panic: no prop on the bench meant uncontested scrums loomed. Enter Cam Ruddock - though not in his natural spot. Up stepped young Daniel, volunteering to play prop, a decision he’ll no doubt regret when he looks back on his rugby career in years to come.
Still, the scrums held firm, and Barnes continued to dominate. Deep inside Richmond’s 22, a crafty chip set up Giles, but Ollie Walker was tackled off the ball - penalty Barnes. Walker, meanwhile, was popping up everywhere, like an unwanted WhatsApp group notification.

Finally, after 70 minutes, a slick backs move off a rolling maul saw him ghost past Richmond’s centres - feet firmly planted in the mud - and dot down beneath the posts.
Minutes later, Cam Ruddock broke the line, charging forward with the shocked look of a man who’s just found himself leading the London Marathon by mistake. Realising his legs weren’t built for such extravagance, he looked desperately left and right for help before being tackled. Two phases later the ball was flung wide—and who else but Ollie Walker to finish it off again.

The final act belonged, inevitably, to Walker. Another try, his fourth of the afternoon, plus one near miss and an assist for good measure. Veteran Ryan Nixon came off the bench for a sentimental seven-minute cameo—likely his last in a Barnes shirt—but the day was well and truly Ollie’s.

Barnes march on with back-to-back league wins, a team performance for the scrapbook, and no surprises in the man of the match department: Ollie Walker, try-machine extraordinaire.

Barnes Outriders 26-14 Richmond Normans - words by an ecstatic Outriders Chairman Jason Betteley
The Outriders strike fast and hard against Richmond Normans and achieve their first ever win in the London Premiership!

Following on from our first ever match last week against a strong, mature and experienced Ironsides 2s team, The Outriders had to re-group, re-arm and go again. This time, Richmond Normans (their 4s team) was our opposition on Saturday. With the Barnes 2s also playing Richmond (Saxons – their 3s team), we were all hoping Barnow could do the double over Richmond. The day started well with both the Barnow 2s and The Outriders joining together for one-big warm up on the 1st XV pitch, providing each other with a testing session before moving off to our respective pitches.

Richmond Normans are a massive team with a very big pack, but this didn’t seem to worry the fast, nimble, dynamic and youthful Outriders (our average age 25yrs despite us being exceptionally lucky and having the Barnes Legend that is Tom “Frank The Tank” McArthur in our team. He had yet another great 80 mins performance, as well as being such an experienced and calming influence and mentor on the pitch – thanks Frank! You’re definitely a Founding Outrider!

As for the match, The Outriders started fast and furious; from the Normans kick-off I think Tommy and I counted at least 7 or 8 jabs in succession to take us straight down the middle of the pitch, getting to their 22m in double quick time. With Ollie Cooke (No7) at the centre of the action making carry after carry, eventually bursting through their lines for our first try – all within the first 5 minutes. Despite that ridiculously quick start, the Normans settled the game down and somehow slowed us down – they clearly wanted to use their massive front 5 as though they were a battering ram on the battlefield at Hastings; it worked. For the next 30mins we were forced into playing their style of rugby with the Normans scoring under the posts to make the score at HT 7-7.

Stern words from Tommy B in the HT huddle; some calming, confidence boosting words from Frank and then some tactical blubbering from others did the trick … as well as us having more stamina and greater fitness! The second half started like the first half, we upped our game and came out fast but this time using the space out wide, punching holes at their defensive line across the pitch. We camped out for ages on their 5m line, forcing the errors, winning the penalties and getting through their line. We had the ball held up at least twice following great efforts by Matt C (our stand-in hooker for the game) and our new recruit Thomas M (on the wing).

Incidentally, big shout out to Matt C: he is usually one of our BR players and has only ever played hooker when having to go to uncontested scrums. Despite this, Matt stepped up for the new role for this match, had an emergency throwing lesson during the warm up from our very own Cam Ruddock and had a great debut. With two tries held up, we were determined to go again and again and that’s when our backs came into their own. Shout outs to Kevin S and Felix W from the Occies who provided experience, maturity and confidence (we’re hoping to plan more with the Occies during the season). As well as a shout out to Josh D on the wing – his strength, speed, ball handling and game sense as a 1s/2s player was immense.

It was at this point that the centre pairing of Leif B and Harry O’C did their magic and ran two brilliant straight and destructive lines through the Normans defence to score under the posts. Notwithstanding this level of attack, the Normans stood up to be counted and went at us again with their size and power and yet again managed to blast a hole through us and score under the post for an easy converted try. We definitely needed one more to settle our nerves and the match, and this time it came from our very own junior, turned Colt, turned U22 and now Outrider – Theo Pratt – our amazing No8. Theo has been with us since he was a junior and under the tutelage of our very own Chris Williams has developed into a destructive force on the pitch and such a well-mannered, respectful young adult off the pitch. Theo showed his class, took a wonderful pickup, darted past at least 3 of the Normans and performed a graceful (I think you can call it that) flying dive to make it 4 tries to 2. Final score Outriders 26-14 Normans. Our first ever win in our 2nd ever match!! Not bad, heh!

We go again in a couple of weeks with an away trip to Hammersmith & Fulham 2s on 4th Oct.

Well Done The Outriders!! Oh, and by the way … we also did the double over Richmond; Barnes 2nd XV beat Richmond Saxons 40-3!!”

Minis and Juniors weekly update – by Juniors Chairman Boris Pomroy
The new season is now well underway in the Youth section. Numbers are at record levels for this time of year; BEST is literally bursting at the seams with rampaging young rugby players. A brilliant sight (if slightly terrifying for coaches, parents and the local community).
This Friday sees the return of our world-famous Schools Floodlit Festival at Chiswick Rugby Club. Sixteen Year 3 and Year 4 teams from local primary schools will play under the lights, cheered on by family, friends and plenty of noise from the touchline. It’s one of the highlights of our calendar, rugby at its most fun and inclusive, and something all of us at Barnes should feel proud of.

On Saturday, twenty of our Mini and Junior Girls are off to Bristol to watch the Red Roses in their World Cup semi-final. For them, it’s a chance to see their heroes up close; for us, it’s another reminder of how far the women’s and girls’ game has come – and where it can take them. A reminder, the clubhouse will be open for the game, so do get down and cheer England on.

And on Sunday, the first Junior matches of the season get underway. At home, the U13 Boys and U14 Girls both face Reeds. Away from Barn Elms, the U15 Boys take on London Irish, the U16 Boys head to Reeds, and the Colts line up against Sutton & Epsom.

Barnes Men’s 1st XV 20-20 Henley Hawks - words by Rhino
In an entertaining, if not error strewn game, Henley will feel they deserved the win and Barnes will feel lucky to have shared the spoils in a 20-20 draw, with the opportunity to seal the win for the visitors, through a late conversion, sailing across the posts. Cue huge sigh of relief from the home massif!

At the start of the match, the home team’s forwards quickly settled into their task, with the outstanding Angus Farqhar making a searing break to create the momentum which led to series of drives from which Mark McDermott scored, and Elliott Haydon converted, for Barnes to go 7-0 up after 10 minutes.

Henley then scored soon after with quick ball going to Lailand Gordon on the outside who scored. The conversion missed, Barnes led 7-5 after 16 mins.

Barnes scored again on the half-hour through hooker Dan James with Haydon again converting, but Henley bounced straight back with Leo Webb scoring and Max Titchener converting, the score being 14-12 to Barnes at the break.

The second half kicked off in a storm of rain and hailstones of biblical proportions. The reliable boot of Haydon settled down the home side, kicking penalties on 47 and 54 minutes to make it 20-12 to Barnes, a seemingly comfortable margin which should have set up the win.

The rest of the half was an arm wrestle. Henley attacked relentlessly, Barnes defended resolutely, until a penalty with five minutes left, by Henley veteran fly half MaxTitchener, took the Hawks to within five points of the lead. The visitors rallied and took full advantage of a wayward Barnes throw in, inside the home team’s 22 and, after multiple phases, Henley scored the try that they had threatened all of the second half and, on balance, deserved.

However, Titchener could not deliver the icing on the cake and missed the conversion to make the final score an honourable 20-20 draw.