Last weekend we had a quiet start to 2026 with our Under 22s taking part in their annual triangular tournament, this time taking place at Richmond’s ground. We narrowly overcame the hosts 14-15 in our first game and then lost to a well drilled Old Hamptonians side 7-14 there were lots of tired lads on the touchline at the end of that encounter, some injured, some still full of Christmas cheer I suspect!

This weekend we are swinging in to action properly with a cracking array of three matches, headlined by the rematch in our ongoing series of battles with Dorking.
Our 2nd XV are away at Blackheath, and the Outriders are at Barn Elms playing Hammersmith and Fulham.

Should be a cracking way to welcome in the New Year!

Dorking are one of our oldest and closest rivals in National League 2 East, our ding dong battles over the years have been the stuff of legends. That story continued earlier this season with us winning at The Big Field by a single point 21-22. What is it about this fixture eh?

Dorking are in 4th place in the league currently on 50 points and we are in 6th place on 45 points. We have to be honest that we fell off the pace and performance we expect to see from the team in December, losing in a shocker 0-7 to London Welsh and then in the last game before Christmas 24-21 at Henley.

There was an apathy about our play which is not like Barnes, the boys looked tired and without the edge that has done us so well in recent seasons. We hope the rest over the last few weeks has been restorative and the challenge of playing Dorking at Barn Elms will provide the incentive and motivation for the lads to kick off the second half of the season with a win!

Onwards and upwards Barnow!

For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - President Barnes Rugby Club

Here are the details of this weekend’s fixtures again:
Saturday 10th January Fixtures
• Barnes Men’s 1st XV vs Dorking 1st XV - 2pm KO
• Blackheath 2nd XV vs Barnes Men’s 2nd XV - 2pm KO
• Barnes Outriders vs Hammersmith & Fulham 2nd XV - 2pm KO