News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Dings Crusaders ding-donged all over Barnes 34-15 last weekend

Dings Crusaders ding-donged all over Barnes 34-15 last weekend

Michael Whitfield2 Oct 2019 - 18:31
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.barnesrfc.org/news

Barnes euphoria after winning at Redruth was short-lived with a lack-lustre performance resulting in a comprehensive loss at Dings Crusaders.

Rugby is about highs and lows, this was one of those lows
- Michael "Rhino" Whitfield

Dings Crusaders 1st XV vs Barnes 1st XV
Barnes travelled to Dings Crusaders last weekend in good spirits, after the previous weeks 10-12 victory away to Redruth. On top of the win, the team was confident after victories home and away last season against Dings.

Perhaps we were too over confident, because we struggled to get out of first gear, spluttering throughout the first half, and threatening little. Under continual pressure upfront, our front five was always on the back foot, and this pressure effectively neutered the potency of our back row, our abrasive cutting edge week in week out, but last weekly strangely lacking in influence. As we approached half-time, 10-3 down it was Josh Davies, often the park of our attacking force, who broke free to put Josh Hammett in the clear to stroll in under the posts for what would have been an equalising score. Alas, the ever-reliable Hammett inexplicably spilt the ball forward, and that one moment epitomised our afternoon.

Turning around 10-3 down, we hoped for a resurgence from the green and gold, but alas it was not to be. We were too loose, with too many errors and we really never got going, until it was too late.

Dings scored two further tries to lead 24-3 before put together a move that vaguely resembled the Barnes team I recognise, newcomer Taino Goveia dotted down after an effective sortie from Barnes.

Dings prop Liam Appleton scored his second try of the afternoon for the home team, and Barnes grabbed a consolation try right at the death with Sam Gratton scoring.

All in all a very unsatisfactory afternoon. We need to give ourselves a stern talking to, and remember what it is to wear the green and gold of Barnes RFC, and play in the original spirit of our special club.

So upset was I by the performance, that I made myself drink at least 10 pints of Guinness to help me forget the game.

This weekend we entertain our old friends from Bury St Edmunds. We will need to get our sh*t together for this game as they come to Barn Elms on the back of a brilliant home win 24-14 over promotion hopefuls Esher. Last season we stole a draw 24-24 at Barn Elms, but lost at their place early in the season 29-12. Like I say, we need to lick our wounds quickly and bounce back big time this weekend. It is not going to be easy, but I know how strong we are when the chips are down. Well, they are down and we need to pick them up firmly and run hard with them.

Other games last weekend
The 2’s faced another very strong side this week away to Rosslyn Park Rangers..at 54-0 down at half-time things looks, at best, bleak and, at worst, bleaker! But we showed a lot of heart and found enough rhythm to restrict the final score to 77-24, effectively edging the second period. This week Barnes 2nd XV host Jersey and will be looking to notch up their first victory of the season.

The Occies continued their strong start to the season with a 33-52 victory at London Irish against their 3rd XV.

On Sunday the Ladies lost at home to Beckenham 5-48 in the Intermediate Cup
There is a full weekend of games ahead this weekend (and don’t forget we have breakfast and the Rugby World Cup games showing on both Saturday and Sunday too).

Here is a full list of all of the games on this weekend:

Saturday 5th October

Barnes 1st XV vs Bury St Edmunds - 3.00 pm KO

Barnes 2nd XV vs Jersey - 12.30 pm KO

Esher Vets vs Barnes Harrodians Vets - 3pm KO

Sunday 6th October

Barnes Ladies 1st XV vs Chesham - 2.30 pm KO

Hammersmith & Fulham vs Barnes Ladies 2nd XV - 2.30 pm KO

Here’s to a brilliant weekend of Barnes rugby, may all the teams play well, safely and in the original spirit we love and embrace at Barnes RFC.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - Chairman - Barnes RFC

Further reading