Whilst Sunday’s two resounding victories for Barnes women are fantastic to report, the day was tinged with sadness as the players, coaches and supporters celebrated the life of a former Barnes Women player, who tragically passed away on Friday aged 43, with a minutes silence before each of the games.

Lucy was a very rare breed of rugby player. She joined Barnes Ladies RFC in 2006 as a prop with great strength and technique. Very quickly, out of necessity, successfully and seamlessly moved to 2nd row.

In one of her early games in the 2nd row, Barnes were struggling to gain territory and the ball popped into Lucy’s hands, in a flash, she dropped the ball on to her right boot and spiralled it 60m into the oppos 22m area!

With that, and showing such adept handling skills and reading of the game, she moved to fly half, and at this position she flourished. The ultimate team player in all respects.

She was player of the year in both 2007 and 2009 which demonstrates what a player she was and how highly she was regarded.

Lucy brought such joy, constant optimism, pragmatism, a can do attitude, and was always by your side when you needed her. Also probably the only one of the group who never needed picking up from the floor at some point on a night out.

Lucy was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago and battled against this vile disease in true Lucy fashion, but devastatingly, lost the fight and passed away on Friday 7th November 2025 leaving her husband Garry, 4 year old son, Ben, family and many, many devastated friends.

It was so lovely to see former coach Ben Waugh with several of the women who had graced the field with Lucy on the touchline on Sunday watching the current crop of Barnes players put on a great show.

Our thoughts are with Lucy’s family and friends.