With poor weather, a host of injuries and non-availabilities we managed to put out only two sides last weekend. Our Men’s 1st and 2nd XV’s, albeit an understrength second string. The 1st XV travelled to bottom the table Oxford Harlequins, the sort of side that the words banana and skin were invented for. Despite their position in the league, and almost certain relegation, Quins were well in this match until 60 mins, only trailing by a point 26-27 - this was before Barnes hit the afterburners and blazed in 4 tries to win handsomely in the end 26-53.

A severely weakened 2’s, bolstered by a significant Outriders contingent, took on Dorking 2’s and whilst the scoreline shows an overwhelming Dorking win, the lads never gave up, losing 21-68 in the end. They say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, well one thing is for sure, we know these lads will bounce back having licked their wounds and reflected.

This weekend’s BIG game
This weekend, with the Six Nation back in full swing, we have a rest weekend for most of the adult teams so there is just one game for you to watch at Barnes, and it is a BIG Women’s 1st XV home game this Sunday against Welwyn Ladies, 2pm KO, let’s get down and support our players, resplendent in their new kit, sponsored by our favourite local lawyers, Russell Cooke.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield v - President Barnes Rugby Club

Oxford Harlequins 26 - 53 Barnes Men’s 1st XV - words by Rhino
Horrible, cold, wet and windy conditions prevailed at Oxford Harlequin s last weekend.
For 60 minutes the Oxford team showed no signs of their lowly league position, competing equally with Barnes in a fast and furious encounter on their 4G pitch, in fact at 60 minutes the home team only trailed Barned by 1 point, 26-27!

For the previous three quarters of the game, Barnes were ill-disciplined, suffering two yellow cards, and were also profligate in attack, squandering several opportunities when attacking the Quins line.

In the last quarter, the home team tired and we suddenly turned on the afterburners, the two factors contributed to Barnes running away with the game, winning easily in the end 26-53. If we forget about the bit that went before, that last twenty minutes was outstanding, let’s hope we can bottle that for our next game at home against Esher on Valentines Day.

Barnes started encouragingly, coming fast out of the blocks, and Joe Henry touching down for the try, Will Nicholson hit the post, so we led 0-5 after 3 minutes. `

Almost immediately Quins chip through our defence and equalised.

But the Barnes boys look energised and following good line out drills the ball whizzed along the Barnes back line for Jacques Birch, wearing some fancy black tights, to glide through the Quins defence and with the kick missed for the extras we led 5-10 after 15 minutes.

Suddenly, from a pile up on our line - we suffer a penalty try, and Ross Kane was yellow carded for falling over on top of the ruck, he looked bemused as he slowly strolled off the pitch, Quins led 12-10 after 25 minutes.

3 minutes later, it was the turn of Quins to upset referee Bird, a yellow card being issued to the Quins Captain and we immediately scored with Nicholson converting for Barnes to lead 12-17.

Barnes were clearly on top as half time approached, Ewen Murphy ran a great line after a Joe Henry break to scythe through and score, with Nicholson adding the extras we looked comfortable at 12-24.

However, Ben Lodge was yellow cared on the cusp of half time, and we conceded a try from a maul which made it 19-24 at the break.

As we kicked off the second half, Nicholson slotted an early penalty but our catalogue of errors from the first half and Quins scored again to narrow the gap to 1 point: 26-27.

After playing frustrating error strewn rugby for 60 minutes, it was as though someone switched a switch in the Barnes players, with Dan Robertshaw and James Crabtree both scoring and Nicholson converting both too - we led 26 - 41 with 10 minutes of the half left.
Quins skipper carded for high tackle as Mr Bird keeps up the card count.

Quins skipper was yellow carded again, and that being his second meant it became a red.
With 5 minutes left, Elliott Haydon demonstrated his considerable footballing skills by dribbling through the Quins now ragged defence, again converted by Nicholson, before Dan Robertshaw added the coup de grace to make the final score 26-53, a good performance, in the end!

Barnes 2nd XV and Barnes Outriders combo 21 - 68 Dorking 2nd XV - words by Coach Tommy Burkett
Barnes welcomed Dorking 2s to Barn Elms knowing full well this was never going to be a friendly reunion. Dorking arrived with long memories and a very sharp sense of revenge after the pre-Christmas league encounter, and they made their intentions clear before Barnes had quite finished lacing their boots.

A sluggish start saw Barnes concede twice early doors, the visitors racing into a 0–14 lead while Barnes searched for rhythm, shape, and possibly the snooze button. Credit where it’s due, though this Barnes side never folded, even when the tide was running strongly the wrong way.

The fightback began with a moment to remember as Ethan Hurst, on debut, announced himself in the best possible way: straight under the posts, no fuss, welcome to senior rugby. Shortly after, Jake Williams decided walking was overrated and flew down the wing to crash over in the corner, levelling the scores at 14–14 and briefly reminding everyone that Barnes do, in fact, know how to play rugby.

Unfortunately, Dorking didn’t read the script. They responded with a ruthless spell before the break, punishing missed tackles and loose edges to take a commanding 33–14 lead into half-time.

The second half followed a familiar pattern Barnes battling gamely, Dorking capitalising clinically. One highlight worth the admission fee came courtesy of Ian Leonard, who decided that turnovers are best followed by solo efforts, jackalling the ball before running in a superb try from 50 metres like a man late for last orders.

Despite flashes of quality and a refusal to throw in the towel, Dorking’s depth and cohesion told as they pulled away in the closing stages. The scoreboard grew uncomfortable, but the effort never dipped.

Final score aside, Barnes showed heart, welcomed a debutant onto the scoresheet, and were reminded that rugby has a cruel way of punishing slow starts. Lessons learned, bruises earned, and onto the next one because this group doesn’t stop turning up.

Man of the match Olly Cooke

Final score: Barnes 2s / Outriders 21 – 68 Dorking 2s