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Barnes fail to hold out against newcomers Leicester Lions as losing streak continues

Barnes fail to hold out against newcomers Leicester Lions as losing streak continues

Michael Whitfield16 Oct 2019 - 16:29
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Barnes visited Leicester Lions for the first time this weekend and, despite stout defence, succumbed to the pressure eventually to lose 21-9

We have been close but not close enough this season, when the chances come, we have to take them, and we didn’t today
- Michael "Rhino" Whitfield

Leicester Lions vs Barnes 1st XV
Barnes travelled to Leicester Lions last week, on the back of a courageous performance, but an ultimately disappointing loss to Bury.

We had to be resolute from the off as the Lions camped on our line but after 25 minutes they drove over from short range, and with the conversion went 7-0 up. This try woke us up and we came back into the game with pressure of our resulting in two Josh Hammett penalties to bring us back to 7-6 down at half time.

Five minutes after the restart, Leicester scored again to go 14 - 6 up, and again we clawed ourselves back with another Hammett penalty. Alas, that was our last score of the match and in the last quarter the Lions added a further score to pull away deservedly and win the game 21-9.

Ultimately this was a game of our defence versus the Lions attack. We lacked a cutting edge in both our backs and our forwards, and the result, although gutting, was a fair one.

We can’t win games consistently enough based on great defence. It is time now for the whole 1st XV squad to look in the mirror, raise their collective game, and convert our undoubted talent into results.

This has to start this weekend against newly promoted Sutton and Epsom.

The last time we played them was effectively a victory parade of a game at their place, and we duly romped to victory and promotion. Saturday’s game will be light years away from that sunny April day a couple of years back. We need to get right on it and dominate the game from the off.

Our backs are against the wall, of that there is no doubt, but that is often when we play at our best.

I have said that a few times this year, so Saturday it is time to see it in action rather than me just write about it. It is time for that Barnes passion and original spirit to come out in abundance. I am certain it will!

Other games last weekend

In other games last weekend, the Occies were handed a walkover against Effingham 2’s and the mighty Vets made it two out of two with an incredible win at Richmond Heavies 22-33, a game that saw the return of old Barnes 1st XV legend and heartthrob, Tim Roles, good to have you back Rolesey!

On Sunday, the Ladies 1st XV had a tough outing against Battersea Ironsides. Despite a 29-0 scoreline we never gave up and we learn by each game we play.

This weekend we not only have the four quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup, but also some juicy Barnes RFC games too. All of the RWC games are being shown live on both \Saturday and Sunday in the Clubhouse and we are serving a delicious breakfast too.

Here are all of the Barnes fixtures this weekend:

Saturday 19th October:

• Barnes 1st XV vs Sutton & Epsom - 3.00 pm KO
• Barnes 2nd XV vs Rams Titans - 2.30 pm KO
• Occies vs Old Emanuel 2's - 3.00 pm KO

Please do come down and support all of the teams, it is incredibly important for the players.

And you can make a day of it, watch the quarter-finals and then see the 1st XV, 2nd XV and Occies strut their stuff!

Here’s to a wonderful game of both international and local Barnes rugby, all played in the original spirit we embrace at Barnes RFC.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - Chairman Barnes RFC

Further reading