Another frustrating afternoon for Barnes 1st XV last Saturday at Barn Elms, when we took on Worthing Raiders, ending in heartbreak with the last kick of the game shaving the posts, and denying Barnes a one-point win, the final score being Barnes 31 Worthing 32.

We started poorly again, frankly, we were not at the races in the first ten minutes, our lack of confidence was quite palpable from the touchline. We were 0-12 down inside 10 minutes, for the second game running, one missed tackle and a missed throw-in at the line out was all it took, and if you are 12 points down so early on it creates a big mountain to climb, almost before you have strapped on your crampons!

Yet strap them on we did, and tries from both Cameron Ruddock and Frank Nickson, and a conversion from Josh Hammett brought us back within touching distance at 12-15. A further try from the visitors gave them a 12-22 lead but a try from skipper George Hunter, right on half time, with the extras from Hammett, sent us into the break three points behind at 19-22.

Barnes started the second half at a canter, with Basil Strang wrestling his way through several defenders to score under the posts. With the conversion popped over again by Josh Hammett, Barnes led for the first time in the game 26-22. With that score the Barnes massif took a collective sigh of relief, thinking that perhaps we had seized the initiative. Alas, we held the lead for only five minutes before Worthing raided us and seized the initiative back again to lead 26-29. With thirty minutes left on the clock, there was plenty of time left for Barnes to get back into the game, but we were frustrated by Worthing and bogged down in the no-mans-land of between the 22’s. We leaked a penalty, and with ten minutes to go we were trailing Worthing 26-33.

And then we started playing. Wave after a wave attacking the Worthing line, bravely the Raiders defended their line, and bravely the Barnes lads hurled themselves forward in attack. Right at the critical moment, when it looked like we would breach the defence near the posts, a nasty looking injury to the Worthing second-row halted the game, taking with it much of the energy and advantage that Barnes had up to that moment. From the restart, we went hard at the Raiders again, but they had rested and regrouped. We did get over in the corner, Johan van der Poel the scorer, but crucially it was wide out. With the clock in red, and the score Barnes 31 Worthing 32, Josh Hammett stepped up to take the conversion. He struck the ball sweetly, it sailed towards the posts, in slow motion both sets of players, their heads looking towards the sky, tracked the ball, which for all of the world looked set to bisect the uprights and secure the win for Barnow. But, in a cruel twist of fate, the ball, as if possessed, changed direction, slipped past and went off slowly into the night. The two assistants stood blinking in the twilight, the Barnes contingent urging them to raise their flags, the Worthing contingent urging them to do the opposite, the flags stayed down.

And thus, it was heartache for Barnow, an ironic reversal of the game against the Raiders back in March, when we won with the last kick of the match. Yes we grabbed a couple of points, which could well be crucial as the season goes on, but the five points was there for the taking, there should be absolutely no fault whatsoever apportioned to young Hammett, we simply gave away four tries and you just can’t do that in this league and get away with it. We move on to this weekend, as we travel to Henley, who are riding high and happy in National League 2 in third place.

Yes, we will be up against it, but I am hopeful for an upset on Saturday. Henley are in very good form as I said. In the last six games, they have lost only once (to Clifton), drawn once against Redruth and won four times, most recently last week when they spanked Esher 13-34, a big statement. So, we will have our hands full...but we will give it a bloody good crack. On that you can depend!

Other games at Barnes RFC last week
On Friday night, Barnes Vets rocked under the lights against Wasps at Rosslyn Park, despite playing a much younger side full of islanders, they prevailed in the end 19-0. Several old gits were crocked, a couple with a concussion, Rich Fenech had his hair ruffled a bit, which upset him, and Si Curran injured his little finger (which will apparently interfere with his excellent orange cutting skills!). Well done to this band of brothers, it is tough to get enough Vets players out each week, but they do it, hats off to Rich and Gus in particular.
On Saturday, the 2’s travelled to Cinderford, and despite a brave effort came off second best against Cinderford 2nd XV they came off second best 34-21.
On Sunday our Ladies played top of the table Reading, and they only bleedin’ went and won 14-5 at Barn Elms. More of that in a separate report on the website.
Lots of junior sides out too:
• The Under 11’s put out 3 teams in a tournament and won 7 and lost 6 games;
• The Under 12’s won 3 and drew two games;
• The Under 15’s beat Old Emanuel 26-21 and go top of the table
• The combined Barnes/Bank of England Under 16’s also won38-14, also against Old Emmanuel.

The future is bright, the future is Barnow!

Rugby at Barnes RFC this weekend
Barnes 1st travel to Henley this weekend, it will be a hard, but cracking game. It’s a 3pm kick off, do come and support us!

There is no 2nd XV game this weekend.

May all our teams play in the original spirit that we embrace at Barnes RFC, and here’s to a wonderful weekend of Barnes Rugby.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - Chairman Barnes RFC