Last week was tough for Barnes RFC with all our adult teams losing, the Men’s 1st XV lost gut-wrenchingly in the last play of the game to Dorking, 25-26. The 2nd XV continued their baptism of serious fire start to the season away to Richmond Vikings, arguably stronger than any side the 1st XV plays all season, who actually fielded a member of Leicester’s Premiership winning squad against us, the result a painful 62-12 loss.

On Sunday the developing Women’s 2nd XV went down against local rivals Battersea Ironsides 58-0. Not a weekend to remember, with plenty of learnings, and much to look forward to this weekend.

The Men’s 1st and 2nd XV are away at Henley in a double header that both will be looking to do well in.

Last season the 1st XV drew the first leg at Barn Elms 17-17 in December but won the rematch at Henley convincingly at the end of the season in April 19-34, putting in one of the best displays of the season, Pete “The Meat” Weightman was magnificent that day and will no doubt want to reprise his role on Saturday.

The 2’s will be very keen to translate the hard work on the training pitches to their first win of the season. The 2’s kick off first at Henley at 2:30pm, with the 1’s kicking off at 3pm. Please do go and support both teams if you have the chance.

Our Women’s 1st and 2nd XV are back in action, both away, the 1st XV is playing Reading Women, whilst the 2’s will be looking to build their performance against Staines Women, both have 2pm kick offs and would love to see you on the touch line.

This week also sees the return of Friday night Minis Speed Tag Rugby, where we invite all of the local state schools who don’t normally play rugby to their own late arvo/early evening festival of fun and rugby frolics. It is fast and furious and incredible. Full details below, please do try and go along and support the teams at the Old Bank of England Sports Ground, off Bank Lane. Full details are below, including the password you will need for access so read the piece carefully!

And finally, I want to celebrate a brilliant achievement by our Director or Rugby Jack Heald. He would never want to bang the drum about this, but I will do it on his behalf. Apart from being our Director of Rugby, running Jack Heald Coaching (which powers our Juniors and Colts and Rugby Camps and many other clubs and schools’ sports) and being a dad to many kids - he has somehow managed to find the time to complete his Master of Science degree from Hartpury University recently.

Well done Jack, it is an amazing achievement, even more so when you look at all of your other commitments!

Here's to a much better weekend of Barnow Rugby, onwards and upwards the green and gold!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - Chairman Barnes RFC

Here are all the fixtures this weekend in detail:

Saturday 24th Fixtures

• Henley 1st XV vs Barnes 1st XV - 3pm KO

• Henley 2nd XV vs Barnes 2nd XV - 2.30pm KO

Sunday 25th Fixtures

• Reading Women vs Barnes Women 1st XV - 2pm KO

• Staines Women vs Barnes Women 2nd XV - 2pm KO

Here is the Men’s 1st XV report (if you can bear to read it) and also a link to the video highlights, and there are also full details of the three fabulous Fridays of speed tag rugby.

Barnes pay the penalty for missing all their kicks
A brilliant game of rugby saw Dorking snatch victory in the 4th minute of added time at Barn Elms the final score after a pulsating game 25-26 to the visitors. It was the archetypal game of two halves, Barnes scoring four tries to one in the first period, but converting none of them, and Dorking scoring three tries of their own tries to one from the home team in the second half. The conversions proved crucial, Barnes missing all five kicks whilst Worthing slotted three out of four. Barnes can have no complaints here, Dorking deserved the win in the end, heart-breaking as it was to the home supporters and the Barnes players.

It all started so well for the home side, Barnes scoring twice in the first ten minutes, through Paul O’Dell on the wing and centre Jordan Souter. Alas both conversions were missed from out wide by Paddy McDuell, which would prove costly as the game reached its climax.

Barnes built on the dominance of their backs and fulsome possession with a further score from winger Will Lewin after 21 mins, but only led 15-0 due to the third conversion being missed. Jimmy Catton crashed over on 25 mins from a catch and drive, and Henry Anscombe added the extras to reduce the deficit to 15-7. Barnes missed a kickable penalty on 29 mins, but a further score gave Paul O’Dell his second try of the half, and Barnes the bonus point, but yet another missed conversion kick made the score only 20-7 at the break, when one might have reasonably expected 11 more, which would have made the mountain higher for Dorking to climb in the second half.

But at half time they strapped on their crampons and climb they did. It was a completely different Dorking side who came out after the half time oranges, and they took the game to Barnes head on.

Dorking scored first after 51 minutes, another catch and drive saw hooker Jonny Ellis touch the ball down, Anscombe reliably slotted the conversion, and the Barnes players felt the heavy breathing of the Dorking lads on their backs as the gap closed to 20-14.

Dorking had their tails up now and Will Scholes broke through the normally resilient Barnes defence to create a two-on-one for Austin Emens to score and the metronome Anscombe to add the extra and Dorking took the lead for the first time with the last quarter beckoning. Barnes seemed to be jolted into action by that core and drove into the heart of the Dorking defence, after a great maul Josh Davies chipped the ball cleverly down the blind side and full back Cameron Roberts scored for Barnes to retake the lead 25-21 with 11 minutes left.

The conversion was unfortunately again missed, and we entered the last ten minutes with the game being up for grabs by both teams. Barnes had a try disallowed for a knock on and in the end it was Dorking who showed the patience and determination to build an attack in the Barnes half which saw an onslaught of pick and drives that the home could not defend forever, Will Scholes breaking the line to score in the fourth minute of added time.

Heartbreak for the home team, elation for Dorking, a great game of scintillating end-to-end rugby.

Here are the video highlights which were filmed by the NCA, commentary by Warren Muggleton and our very own Andy Pickering, the new Eddie Butler and Brian Moore of rugby TV!

https://bit.ly/NLRYouTubeChannel

Three spectacular evenings of speed tag rugby for local state primary schools
As part of our Community Outreach programme, the Minis & Juniors are organising, and fully funding, three spectacular evenings of speed tag rugby for local state primary schools. Circa 600 kids will take part and 300 parents will enjoy seeing their children play representative sport. This is truly a catalyst for positive community action by attracting children who wouldn't normally be exposed to rugby into the wonderful game. By running a girls-only event upfront, then mixed teams thereafter, it encourages girls to out-shine the boys!

This is also part of a local campaign to safeguard community rugby on the old Bank of England pitches. The use of these facilities to promote sport in local schools is fundamental to the longer-term vision of maintaining rugby on the site, beyond the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) lease of the site, while they build more facilities opposite the Wimbledon Championships site. Our colleagues at Bank of England Youth Rugby have fought hard to retain access and we stand with them on this mission.

What is it?
• Speed Tag Rugby festival for local state primary schools
• Up to 24 teams playing speed rugby on quarter pitches each evening.
• 7 players on the pitch and unlimited subs
• No winners and losers - just lots of fun
• Parents encouraged to come and support and have a drink from our bar. Zoe and team will be running our own bar in the evening.

When is it?
Three consecutive Friday nights:
• Friday, 23rd September 2022: Girls only teams, from Years 3-6
• Friday, 30th September 2022: Mixed teams (girls and boys), from Years 3&4
• Friday, 7th October 2022: Mixed teams (girls and boys), from Years 5&6

Timing on each Friday as follows:
• School Teams Briefing 4.15-4.30pm
• Festival 4.30-6.30pm to be concluded with natural light, with assistance from 4 temporary floodlights
• 6.45pm there will be free hot dog / vegetarian option, a snack and a drink for all players in the bar after the festival

Where is it?
Wimbledon Qualifying and Community Sports Centre, Bank Lane, Roehampton, SW15 5JQ. It is the old Bank of England Sports Ground; it is NOT the National Tennis Centre on Priory Lane - a common case of mistaken identity. There is a password to use with the security guard on front gate: “HASTINGS” this week.

Which schools are taking part?
Each of these state schools has at least 3 children as members of Barnes Mini Rugby. All are invited to provide teams for each evening:
Barnes Primary, Lowther Primary, St. Osmund’s Primary, East Sheen Primary, All Saints CE Putney, Hotham Primary School, Our Lady of Victories Putney, Brandlehow Putney, Mary Magdalene’s RC, Sheen Mount Primary, Thompson House, St Mary's CE Putney, St Elizabeth's Richmond, Oasis Academy Putney, All Saints CE Fulham, St Michael's CoE school, St Augustine's Primary, Grove Park Primary, Floreat Wandsworth, Kew Riverside Primary, St Johns Walham Green.
Plus, we will invite local primary schools in Roehampton: Alton School Roehampton, Mosaic Jewish School, Sacred Heart Roehampton.