Back
Barnes do the double on Esher in excellent home performance
In near perfect conditions there was a spring in our lads step as they ran a lack-lustre Esher ragged winning 40-22 in a fast open game
Barnes Rugby Club entertained Esher for the second time this season in the return league game. After the cracker at their place, which Barnes won in the last play, this rematch was always going to be exciting.
With the sun shining and the rain abating for the first time this year, our lads revelled in the conditions and notched up 6 tries in a rip-roaring game, which Esher fully contributed to, without ever threatening to take control, Barnes winning 40-22 against a side now managed by England legend Mike Brown, and in doing completed the double, double, winning home and away against the Surrey side two seasons on the bounce.
The victory showcased our zestful backs and a strong forwards performance spearheaded by the outstanding flanker Angus Farqhar, who deservedly was man of the match. A full match report is below.
A combined Outriders and 2nd XV overpowered Wimbledon 59-12, the opposition requesting the game to be called off early, a testament to our lads I guess but sad to see from such a proud club that appears to have completely lost its mojo this season.
This weekend the Men’s 1st XV travel to play Sevenoaks, a side that have been so close this season in many of their games but are languishing dangerously near the relegation zone, in 12th place, with Henley only 1 point behind them in 13th. With Oxford Harlequins seemingly already resigned to their relegation fate, it looks like a dog fight between these two for survival, and Henley look like they have the easier run in to the end of the season. Of course, Esher too is only one loss away from being sucked into a three-way battle, you would have got good money at the beginning of the season on both Esher and Henley being top four contenders, not bottom four survivors.
It is honestly far too close to call, what we all know is that a wounded side at home is a dangerous beast, and that is exactly what our friends from Kent will be this weekend, only 1 win in five attempts in 2026 means nothing and we will be fully respectful and ready for the battle on Saturday, despite a comfortable victory at Barn Elms earlier in the season.
There are two other away games this Saturday, the 2s go on a jaunt to play Worthing ’s, always a good coach ride home that one, whilst the Outriders face Hammersmith and Fulham 2s again at their place. On Sunday our Women’s 1st XV is back in action, as they travel to East London Ladies in their latest league encounter.
Here’s to all our players this weekend, may you all play in the original spirit this club embraces and bring home the spoils of war!
Onwards and Upwards Barnow!
For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!
Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - President Barnes Rugby Club
Here are details of this weekend’s 4 games:
Saturday 21st Fixtures
• Sevenoaks Men’s 1st XV vs Barnes Men’s 1st XV - 2:30pm KO
• Worthing 2nd XV vs Barnes Men’s 2nd XV - 2pm KO
• Hammersmith and Fulham 2nd XV Barnes Outriders - 2pm KO
Sunday 22nd Fixture
• East London Ladies 1st XV vs Barnes Women’s 1st XV - 2pm KO
Barnes Men’s 1st XV 40 - 22 Esher 1st XV words by Rhino
With no rain and warm sunshine for the first time in 2026, our lads relished the dry conditions which enabled Barnes’s backs to have a rip-roaring afternoon, the home team winning comfortably 40-22 in an open and fast game at Barn Elms, scoring 6 tries in the process and 5 points to help our quest for a top three finish for the 4th consecutive season in National League 2 East.
Esher scored first with a penalty try on 8 minutes after Barnes full back Mark McDermott was yellow carded for a high tackle.
Barnes bounced straight back, hooker Dan Robertshaw driving over and Will Nicholson adding the extras to even things up at 7-7.
Ollie Walker scored again after 20 minutes, Nicholson converting for Barnes to take the lead 14-7.
Robertshaw added a second try to his haul as Barnes began to dominate in the loose, the metronomic Nicholson extending the lead to 21-10 at half time, Esher having added a penalty to their tally.
The visitors scored first after the restart against the run of play, centre Miles Rawstrom-Rudd (an ex-Barnes player) the beneficiary. With the conversion missed, Barnes led 21-15 with 30 minutes left.
Barnes then played some of their best rugby, Will Nicholson finished off after good work from the forwards and Mark McDermott intercepted to extend their lead to 33-15 which effectively sealed the win for the green and gold.
However, with a quarter of the game to go there was still plenty of rugby left. After a searing break from the zippy Ollie Walker, he offloaded slickly to Matt Branfield and McDermott was on hand to grab his second try of the afternoon, which Nicholson again converted - Barnes led 40-15 with 10 minutes left.
With the game effectively over, the fast tempo went out of the game and Esher scored in the last play to make the final score 40-22.
An excellent win for Barnes which sets them up nicely for a trip to Kent next week to take on Sevenoaks, a fixture the lads will look forward to with a growing confidence (whilst always respecting the oppo from Kent!).