2026 kicked off in style at Barnes last weekend with the Men's 1st XV edging Dorking 23-18 in another absolute thriller between these two proud sides. Dorking were the better side in the first half but Barnes finished the game the stronger, emerging victorious 23-18.

The Outriders fell just short of making an extraordinary comeback against Hammersmith and Fulham. With a depleted backline, the Outriders were 7-24 down at half time but fought back bravely to just fail to win 33-36.

The Men's 2nd XV travelled to arch rivals Blackheath and they too came up short 35-24.

There was a further positive result for the Colts who travelled to Reeds and came away as victors 17-24 in a brilliant game.

Match reports for the games are below for your enjoyment.

This weekend sees a full house of games, with 6 adult teams playing, a brilliant achievement s early in the year.

The weekend kicks off on Friday with the Vets playing Chiswick Vets on Friday night.

The headline games over the weekend are our Men's and Women's 1stXVs - the men playing away at Old Albanians and the Women at home to Eton Manor away. Both oppostions are their respective league leaders so these are both going to be extremely tough fixtures. In the same fixtures last year (feels weird saying that already!) the Men won at Barn Elms 22-21, in truth we probably didn't deserve to win but we did! So we know that OAs are going to be very keen indeed on getting back the bragging rights, we will be equally keen to do the double on them! The Women were turned over 41-10 in the away fixture so we will be keen to avenge that defeat!

Here is to a brilliant weekend of Barnow rugby.

Onwards and Upwards - For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!

Michael "Rhino" Whitfield - President Barnes Rugby Club

Friday 16th Fixture
• Chiswick Vets vs Barnes Originals - 7.45pm KO
Saturday 17th Fixtures
• Old Albanians 1st XV vs Barnes Men’s1st XV - 3pm KO
• Barnes Men’s 2nd XV vs Richmond Saxons - 2pm KO
• Worthing 2nd XV Barnes Outriders - 2pm KO
Sunday 18th January Fixtures
• Barnes Women’s 1st XV vs Eton Manor - 2pm KO
• Ealing Women’s 2nd XV vs Barnes Women’s 2nd XV - 2pm KO

Barnes Men’s 1st XV 23 -18 Dorking - words by Rhino
This was other cracking Barnes and Dorking 1st XV game, where the result was in the balance until the last ten minutes.

A late Barnes try secured the spoils, with Barnes emerging victorious 23-18.
The home team came out of the blocks fastest, flying winger Jacques Birch keeping up his prolific scoring record with a try in the 1st minute that fly-half Will Nicholson converted from the touchline to give Barnes a 7-0 lead.

Dorking reduced the deficit to 7-3 with a penalty from the boot of Tom Hardwick after 20 minutes, followed by a try 2 minutes later from Sam Blade. Hardwick added the extras to give the visitors a 7-10 lead.

They added a further try on the half hour though Nick Barry, but the same player picked up a yellow card just before halftime, giving Nicholson an opportunity to add a penalty. At the break, Barnes went into the changing rooms 10-15 down.

Whilst Dorking had looked like the better side in the first period, their yellow card, and the Barnes late score, saw Barnes leave the pitch with more of a spring in their collective steps.
At halftime, the Barnes players knew what was wrong - poor discipline and poor scrummaging had let them down badly The Barnes team that took the field for the second half were more focused, and had an edge that had been sorely missing in the first 40 minutes.

There was a horrible leg injury to Okemuo Arinze which stopped the game for 24 minutes in the second half, and we all wish him a speedy recovery. Early reports are that the damage is not as bad as first suspected, fingers crossed.

It was then Dorking’s turn to be punished for indiscipline, Nicholson adding a penalty to move Barnes to within two points of Dorking early on. Dorking’s Hardwick extended their lead to 13-18 in the 59th minute, but the determined Barnes attack were awarded another penalty for their efforts, moving Barnes back to within 2 points of the visitors. With 15 minutes left Barnes trailed 16-18.

Dorking’s prop Barry received a second yellow card a few minutes later for a tip tackle, which added up to a red card, and that was the trigger for Barnes’s backs to start cutting loose. Full back Mark McDermott gathered a Dorking clearance kick, and seared through the Dorking defence, gaining 50 meters, before offloading to Giles Bromley-Martin who ran through unopposed to score. With Nicholson converting, Barnes took the lead with five minutes left, a lead they never lost.

It was a cracking game, as befits past contests between these two successful clubs, Barnes just deserved to win.

Weybridge RFC Colts 17-24 Barnes Colts words by Coach Paul Spencer
Barnes Colts took on familiar foes Reeds Weybridge RFC in the first round of the Twickenham Cup (Level 2 in the Surrey League). With A Level mocks and a number of players with the flu, Barnes arrived with a depleted squad. Furthermore, Reeds had won the last two games and were firm favourites.

Barnes won the toss and played with the slope in the first half which proved significant. The slope at Reeds plays a big part in the games there and Barnes felt they didn't have enough when they turned around at half time 0-17 in the lead. Despite some heroic defence from the Barnes side, Reeds were clawing back the lead. That was until Henry (a club stalwart) secured a loose ball and ran 40 yards to score under the posts. The final score 17-24. Barnes will play the undefeated Chobham on Sunday at BEST, it will be great to see as much Barnes support as possible.

Barnes Outriders 33 -36 Hammersmith and Fulham 2nd XV - words by Chris Williams
Down four tries to one versus Hammersmith & Fulham 2nd XV at half time, the Outriders fashioned a spirited comeback that just fell short, ultimately losing 33-36.

The Outriders squad was blessed with a couple of very strong debut performances alongside structure and strength of Frank the Tank and Rich Paddick.

Both teams enjoyed the ambiance of the Barnes RFC clubhouse following the match, brightening up a drab January day for players and supporters alike.