A mixed weekend last weekend for Barnes RFC, with the 1st XV putting in a spirited performance, but ultimately a losing one, against National League 2 South leaders Clifton 26-50. In adversity we clung on, despite giving away 3 yellow cards and picking up some key injuries and scored four tries of our own for an important losing bonus point.
Clifton are top of the league for a reason, they were quicker, more dynamic and seemed to penetrate our defences at will. It would have been difficult enough to defend against them with 15 men on the pitch, but with only 13 on two occasions, and 14 for almost a whole half was impossible.

We move on to this week’s encounter, when the 1st XV take on Westcliff this weekend, the Southend side struggling this season but with a very proud past. Despite their league position, it would be very dangerous to underestimate them, and we will definitely not be doing that!

The 2’s recorded an extraordinary win against Wimbledon 2’s 82-17, a result that is all the more surprising when you look at how close our games have been in recent years, and a testament to the quality of our entire 1st XV squad, and the depth of talent we now have at Barnes.

The Occies had a close game at Barn Elms, being squeezed out by Old Tiffs in the end 10-24.

Match reports for the 1st and 2nd XV games are below.

This weekend we have a full set of fixtures across the club, with the 1st XV travelling to Westcliff, and the Occies playing Old Walcountians. The Vets also have an outing against Farnham Vets on Saturday.

There are no teams at home, however on Sunday, the Women’s 2nd XV is at Barn Elms against Hackney Ladies.

Here’s to a great weekend of Barnes rugby, all played in the original spirit we so love at Barnes RFC.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - Chairman Barnes RFC

Barnes 1st XV 26 - 50 Clifton 1st XV
On an overcast, grey and cold day, Barnes start brightly but on the first Clifton attack they moved the ball at pace out wide and cut through us far too easily. With only 5 minutes gone, we trailed 0-7, not the start we wanted!

Although Barnes put the phases together in the Clifton 22, we twice lost possession at critical moments, however, after the third attacking wave, we moved the ball wide along the back line and Paul O’Dell scored, keeping up his try scoring habit to score on 11 minutes, with Rob Kirby missing the conversion the score was 5-7.

Clifton came straight back at us, and their direct physical approach kept punching holes in our defence and they scored again and converted to extend their lead to 5-14 after 13mins. From the kick off we were turned over and Clifton cut through us again to score again, and five minutes later once again so that by the half hour they were home and hosed effectively, leading 5-28, showing their top of the league prowess emphatically.

Despite the gulf between the teams, it was Barnes’s turn to pressurise the Clifton line, lots of picks and drives and eventually Matthew Branfield crashed over and with the conversion successful, we narrowed the deficit to 12 - 28. From the kick off we went straight back at Clifton, showing immense character, threatening their line but the move broke down and the visitors quickly turned defence into attack, from the robust collisions our number eight, Marcus Rhodes, was injured and had to leave the field.

From the restart we collapsed the scrum and from the penalty Clifton opted for the line out, they went for the catch and drive, and we parted like the red sea for them to take the lead 12-33. It was an ignominious end to the first half, losing a key player to injury, conceding a try after we had just got a foothold back in the game, and having prop George Dean yellow carded for some afters, after the try.

From the second half kick off, Clifton attack in our 22, and are awarded a penalty, opting again for the attacking line out. We suffer a second yellow card to Henry Watson, and we only had 13 players on the pitch at that point. After repelling wave after wave of the visitor’s attacks, their winger wriggles free from a melee to jog in unopposed. With the conversion successful we now trailed 12-40.

When all looked doomed, Pete Weightman chips through and makes sure he is on hand to pounce on the ball on 56 mins. With Kirby converting, the score was now 19-40.
But again, we shoot ourselves in the foot, and Ed Berridge trudges off, being the recipient of our third yellow card, and we are back down to 14 players. The league leaders, chipped through, and their winger scores once again, the score now 19-45.

With the penalty count mounting against us, we looked tired and battle-weary, but Skipper Ryan Seabright is a warrior who never gives up, and he kept leading his troops up the field, into the heat of the battle again. Barnes found the energy to go on the attack, with multiple pick and drives, we neared the line. With one final effort we went again, and Cameron Leigh drove over to score our 4th try, which Kirby converted. After 73 minute we trailed Barnes 26 Clifton 45. There was still time for Clifton to mount one final attack and score to notch up the half century, a well-earned victory, but I am very proud of our lads, they stuck to the task, against a clearly better side, in fact I would say the best we have played this season.

At the end of the day, we missed too many tackles, we coughed up the ball too often and three yellow cards killed us along with a couple of injuries, it was a very tough day at the office, but we never gave up and took a very hard losing bonus point out of the contest.

Barnes 2nd XV 82-17 Wimbledon 2nd XV
Barnes 2nd XV took on local rivals Wimbledon on Saturday. Wimbledon beat Barnes 2’s comprehensively in 2020 (effectively last season), but Barnes gained revenge in October 2021 with a solid 15-38 win, so were prepared for a strong reaction from Wimbledon.

Wimbledon scored first after Cam Ruddock made a clumsy error early in the game, it was to prove a galvanising moment and the last mistake Cam made as he went on to score a fantastic hattrick! Barnes responded quickly with two tries from Jake Williams and Tim Gittens, before Wimbledon responded with a break-away try to make the score 14-12 to Barnes.

The Barnes defence proved telling as brave attacks by Wimbledon resulted in errors that produced opportunities leading to tries from Freddie Boyce (twice), Frank Nickson and Jack Hutchinson. Freddie’s second try, a one-handed catch from a tighthead prop from an Oli Foster cross field kick was one for the highlight reel! Wimbledon were in no mood to quit and scored just before half time, making the score at the break 36-17.

The second half saw Barnes really press on, with tries from Alan Carr (x2), Cam Ruddock (x3), Sam Kitch (x2) with a combination of Oli Foster and Andre Raubenheimer adding to the score with the boot. The final score was a resounding 82-17. We have a history of tough fixtures with Wimbledon, it was clearly a tough day at the office for them, but the league needs strong sides, and we hope (and I am sure) they will come back stronger.

This weekend at Barnes RFC

Saturday 22nd January

Here is a recap of this weekend’s fixtures:
• Westcliff 1st XV vs Barnes 1st XV - 2pm KO
• Old Walcountians vs Barnes Occies - 2pm KO
• Farnham Vets vs Barnes Originals - 2pm KO

Sunday 23rd Jan Fixture
• Barnes Women 2nd XV vs Hackney Ladies - 2pm KO