It was a dark and threatening sky that greeted Barnes on their trip to West Country. After our first win in 10 years at Redruth at the end last season, the lads travelled to Redruth with a confidence not previously experienced. In March we won by a couple of points and last Saturday proved to be equally nail-biting.

Redruth made several unforced errors which Barnes gleefully capitalised on, Josh Hammett slotting three penalties, one over 50 metres from inside his own half and sat comfortably on a 9-0 lead. There were then two lengthy injuries, one horrible leg injury to the Redruth fly-half Richie Kevern, and a head injury to Barnes flanker Daniel Das. Whilst Daniel will be back after a couple of weeks after his HIA, Richie’s injury looks like he will be out for a long time, all of us at Barnes RFC wish him well.

With Josh Hammett converting another penalty Barnes went in at the break 0-12 up and feeling confident about the second half, playing down into Hellfire Corner.

As the second half got underway, the heavens opened and Redruth came at us hammer and tongs, clearly having been revved up at half-time. They had a lucky break when their centre picked off a pass and ran the length of the field to score. As the half went on the home team continued to build pressure and eventually that told with Sam Grattan warming the bench for 10 minutes. Again Redruth turned the screw and eventually they drove over to score their second try of the match.

Crucially neither of the home side’s conversions was successful, and 10-12 proved to be the final score, with Barnes finishing the stronger team and threatening a further score.

This was a very important win for Barnes, our first of the season. I am not sure many teams have had a harder start to their league campaign, with Clifton away first up, promotion hungry Esher at home in the second game, Redruth away last Saturday and back to Bristol to face Dings Crusaders next weekend.

But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and we will head to Dings this Saturday ready for battle. Our games against them last season were both tense and close games, both of which we won. Dings will be cognisant of that and out for revenge. We will need to be at our best to compete and snuff out their gritty threat. The boys will be ready…I can’t wait!

In other games last weekend the 2nd XV faced the mighty Richmond Vikings and were overwhelmed 57-0 with a bucket load of injuries, so much so the ref blew the whistle early. It doesn’t get any easier for the 2’s this weekend with the closest of away fixtures up the road at Rosslyn Park.

The Occies suffered a rare defeat 10-31 at the hands of Battersea Ironsides, they will be looking to get back to winning ways away to London Irish 3rd XV.

Here is the full fixture list for the weekend:

Saturday 28th September 2019

• Dings Crusaders vs Barnes 1st XV - 3 pm KO

• Rosslyn Park Rangers vs- Barnes 2nd XV - 3pm KO

• London Irish 3rd Xv vs The Occies - 3 pm KO

Sunday 29th September

• Barnes Ladies 1st XV vs Beckenham - Intermediate Cup - 2.30pm KO -

• Bracknell vs Barnes Ladies 2nd XV - Junior Cup - 2.30pm KO

Here’s to a fabulous weekend of Barnes Rugby, all played in the original spirit that we so love and embrace at Barnes RFC and the best of luck to all of our teams.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - Chairman Barnes RFC