An excellent weekend for our Men’s and Women’s 1st XVs, both winning important league games, the Men overcoming a persistent Westcombe Park 47-24. The first half in particular was impressive, Barnes scoring 4 converted tries as the backs cut loose, spring definitely appeared to have sprung in their heels! The second half was a scrappier affair; we were a bit sloppy in defence and really allowed Park to have more possession than they deserved. Still, we will take the 5 points which keeps us in 4th place in National League 2 East. We appear to have the wind in our sails for the rest of the season with four wins on the bounce now.

This weekend is a rest weekend, the next game being away to Havant on 14th March, followed by a massive home game on 21st March against high flying Bury St Edmunds, who are also motoring currently. Our 2nd XV also had a tough encounter against Richmond Vikings but came up short 47-19 against a strong Richmond side.

Our Women’s 1st XV had an even more impressive win, overwhelming Thamesians 86-0.

Match reports for each game is below.

This weekend sees the Women in a vital league game against Wasps, at Barn Elms. Wasps sit one spot above us in the league in second place to our third place. They beat us by just 5 points when we played them away in November, and that was only after pulling out their big guns and subbing on ex-England international Bryony Cleall and ex-Welsh player Flo Williams.

It’s the Women’s 1st XV’s final home game of the season, and it also falls on International Women’s Day too! So please do get down and support our brilliant Women in their quest to go second in the league - kick off is at 2pm.

The Occies are also due to play on Saturday, against Cranleigh at Barn Elms, also with a 2pm kick off.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow - For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!

Michael "Rhino" Whitfield - President Barnes Rugby Club

Barnes Women’s 1st XV 86-0 Thamesians Women - words by Jess McLean-Wright
Barnes Women produced an amazing display of attacking rugby as they ran in fourteen tries to secure an 86–0 victory over Thamesians.

From the opening whistle, Barnes set the tone with great tempo and execution. Early dominance at the breakdown and a solid set-piece platform allowed the backs to play with width and confidence, crossing multiple times in the first half.

The forwards were equally impressive, carrying hard and recycling quick ball, while the defensive line remained solid throughout. A disciplined performance ensured Barnes kept a well-deserved clean sheet.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Barnes maintaining intensity and continuing to convert pressure into points. Sharp support lines and offloading highlighted a cohesive team effort in what was a comprehensive all-round performance.

An outstanding result for Barnes Women, showcasing both attacking flair and defensive steel as they continue their strong run of form. Which they will bring into next weekends home game against Wasps.

Forward of the match: Lou
Back of the match: Liv
Coaches’ player: Fiona
Try scorers: Liv (4), Fiona (3), Coz (2), Sasha, Hollie, Izzy, Meg, Noor

Barnes Men’s 1st XV 47-24 Westcombe Park Men’s 1st XV - words by Honorary Secretary Richard Fenech
Much-needed Spring weather in the air had the Barnes Backs eager to move the ball wide and at pace.

After some determined attacking Ewan Murphy stormed through the Park defence making way for Matt Branfield to score with star player Nicholson converting the first of his six conversions on the day.

Park came back with their own signature grudge play and after 25 minutes they managed to break the effective Barnes defence with a dart to the line by Jack Aungier.

Barnes backs were at their slickest in the first half and scored two further tries from full back Mark McDermott and the colossus that is Ewan Murphy clambering his way over deservedly, the score at half time was 28-5 and Barnes were definitely the favourites at the break.

Park had different ideas and opened the second half forcefully scoring from a hopeful punt through which bounced favourably into the arms of Harry Hudson, with Max Brown converting the first of his three conversions.

Barnes immediately replied with scything attacking speed and real cohesion leading to a lineout dominant catch and drive with the try machine and hooker Dan Robertshaw scoring another try behind a powerful driving pack.

After a further passage of back and forth in the middle of the field, Barnes upped their attacking play, the ball zipped along the line at lightening speed, sleight of hand sending winger Jacques Birch down the far touchline to score.

Barnes should have been done and dusted but Park capitalised on some loose Barnes play and scored again through Toby Wallace as they searched out a valuable bonus point.
Some neat interplay from an Ollie Walker piercing break, evading tackles and hacking through for JJ Paling’s excellent support run to just touch down in the corner.

Though Park had the last say with an almost identical kick to the corner for Toby Wallace to score his second try.

With only one yellow card in a free-flowing game, kudos to referee Simon Waite for clear, consistent, communication throughout the match.

Player of the match was fly-half Will Nicholson, who controlled the game with consummate ease, keeping Barnes on the front foot and slotting six conversions to boot!

Richmond Vikings 49-19 Barnes Men’s 2nd XV - words by 2nd XV Head Coach Tommy Burkett
Spring had officially sprung (allegedly), and Barnes 2s made the short pilgrimage to take on our friendly neighbours at Richmond in what was billed as the top-of-the-table blockbuster. Richmond sat above us on points difference alone which, as we all know, is rugby’s way of saying “it’s basically even, but not quite.”

The whistle blew and, much like a man who’s forgotten his Oyster card at the barrier, Barnes found themselves in immediate trouble. A combination of early pressure and a few too many generous donations handed Richmond three tries on the spin. No receipt required. Before we’d even had a chance to settle into our patterns, the scoreboard was doing cardio and we were chasing shadows.

It took until around the half-hour mark for Barnes to properly find our footing. By then, Richmond’s pack a sizeable and rather enthusiastic collection of humans had been going about their work with the sort of physicality you’d expect from a Championship club’s second XV.

They were direct, uncompromising, and caused us no end of headaches at the breakdown and in the tight exchanges. Despite glimpses of fight, the half-time whistle blew with the score at 31–0 and Barnes still searching for our first entry on the scoreboard.

Into the changing room we went. The atmosphere? Honest. Direct. Possibly loud. Big Lenny delivered a forwards’ debrief that could generously be described as “passionate”, while Director of Rugby Jack Heald offered wisdom, clarity and a reminder that rugby matches are, in fact, 80 minutes long. Boots were laced tighter, heads were lifted, and Barnes emerged with renewed purpose.

And credit where it’s due the response was immediate. Barnes struck first in the second half through our resident try machine Ian Leonard, who had swapped into the wing and promptly did what he does best: score tries. That made it eight for the season. The lad’s got wheels not the shopping trolley kind, proper sports model.

Momentum began to shift, but as is often the case in these big fixtures, concentration wobbled for a moment and Richmond were clinical enough to capitalise. At this level, you can’t blink. Or tie your laces too slowly.

Then came the rallying cry. James Smith’s voice cut through the Richmond air like a foghorn on the Thames, and Barnes responded. Two quick-fire tries from Daniel Heim and Charlie Drew injected belief back into the group and suddenly the contest had life again. The scrum tightened up, the line-out steadied, and Barnes began to ask real questions. For a period, it was game on.

Ultimately, though, Richmond’s power and depth told. You’d expect that from a Championship outfit’s second string they closed the match out with two further scores before the final whistle. Final score: Richmond 49 – Barnes 19.

Plenty of lessons learnt, plenty to build on, and if fate is feeling theatrical, we may well get another crack at them in the play-off finals. We’ll be ready.

Man of the Match: George Hamblin tireless, combative, and possibly still tackling people now.