Whilst there were only two games last weekend in the adult section they were both important in terms of how the club is progressing, not just the results, which were two wins for our Men’s 1st and 2nd XVs but more importantly because it showed the importance in terms of strength in depth in the full 1st XV squad of over 50 players but also in the importance of the Barnes Outriders, our Academy XV.

I make this point because last Saturday we had a host of unavailability and injuries which resulted in players moving from the 2nd XV to 1st XV and as a result, several players moved from the Outriders into the 2nd XV.

In both performances the promoted players performed brilliantly, enabling both teams to continue to build on their successful seasons to date.

In the case of the 1st XV, it was important to get back to winning ways after their unexpected loss to Westcombe Park, and in the case of the 2nd XV, continuing their winning ways.

Last weekend ticked a lot of boxes for the club, it shows the importance of a deep 1st XV squad, the power of our coaching team and the vision of Jason Betteley and others in establishing the Barnes Outriders.

Match reports on both games are below.

This weekend sees nearly a full house of fixtures, with six adult teams on show. At this time of year, it is a tribute to the players committing, our physios patching up people, and of course our long-suffering fixture secretary Christy Pickering who makes these games happen. Thank you all for contributing to our playing success.

Barnes Originals kick off the weekend on Friday night away at Weybridge Vandals.

On Saturday we have one game at home, and it is the aforementioned Barnes Outriders that we can all go and support as they take on Battersea Ironsides. Our Men’s 2nd XV travel to London Welsh, with the 1st XV match up on December 6th this will be an interesting window on how well prepared the Welsh are.

Our Men’s 1st XV travel to Bury St Edmunds, one of the hardest places to go and win. In recent weeks Bury have won 47-42 against London Welsh and last week lost away in Guernsey 21-16, moving from 2nd in National League 2 East to 6th. The competition in the league this year is utterly bonkers with only 4 points separating 2nd and 7th. Barnes is currently 2nd in the league behind Old Albanian.

On Sunday our Women’s 1st XV is away to Wasps and our 2nd XV are at home to Belsize Park if you fancy a stroll after lunch to watch some more Barnow rugby.

Goof luck to all of the teams this weekend, may you all play in the original spirit we so love at Barnes Rugby Club.

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield – President Barnes Rugby Club

For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!

Here are all the fixtures in detail this weekend:

Friday 21st November Fixture

• Weybridge Vandals vs Originals - 7:45pm KO

Saturday 22nd November Fixtures

• Bury St Edmunds vs Barnes Men’s 1st XV - 3pm KO
• London Welsh vs Barnes Men’s 2nd XV - 2pm KO
• Outriders vs Battersea Ironsides - 2pm KO

Sunday 23rd November Fixtures

• Wasps vs Barnes Women’s 1st XV - 2pm KO
• Barnes Women’s 2nd XV vs Belsize Park - 2pm KO

Barnes Men’s 1st XV 40 0 19 Havant - words by Honorary Secretary Richard Fenech

Near clinical Barnes back on form…..

The tone of this fixture was set respectfully with both teams observing a minute’s silence for the late Lucy Jackson, a youthful stalwart of the Women’s 1st XV who passed away this week after a two-year battle with cancer.

Though Barnes soon brought an early spark to a dank afternoon with Paul O’Dell scoring under the posts after the forwards deployed familiar lineout precision leaving the steadfast Harvey Graham to convert his first.

Another catch and drive had speedster Ollie Walker scored out wide finishing off a brilliant passage of attacking play.

Havant showed they had the same with their own catch and drive, though held up by an established Barnes defence, but rewarded shortly after with Jack Colbourne scoring under the posts and Jacob converting.

Barnes replied with the backs displaying skill and power sending Iago Davies under the posts and Graham converting what was his second from a tally of five.
Despite a technical yellow against Barnes the next ten minutes were dominated by relentless interplay between backs and forwards sending Matt Branfield under the posts.
Havant not to be outdone tried to stay in the contest to score under the posts on the half time.

Not satisfied the 9s were rested after the break, referee Mr Buchanan sent them both to the bin to reflect! Despite the distraction the imperious Ayodele Ford who made an impact throughout went over to score.

No sooner, slick passing by Ewan Murphy, sees Nicholson William score under the post capitalising on Havant not finding favour with the referee.

A sluggish 2nd quarter with Havant in the ascendancy eventually scoring as Sean Shepherd muscled over, but too little too late for the visitors.

CS Stags 27 - 33 Barnes Men’s 2nd XV
Barnes 2s made it back-to-back wins with a hard-fought 27–33 victory over CS Stags in greasy, testing conditions.

A standout performance from Jake Williams, crossing for three tries, set the tone for the afternoon, with JJ Paling adding another well-worked score.

From the tee, Ned Watson kept the scoreboard ticking with some excellent goal kicking in the wet, along with a solid scrum mean Barnes had to much for the boys from CS stags.
A tough outing, but the squad showed character, accuracy, and resilience to get over the line away from home.

Next up: London Welsh 2s this weekend — a tough local derby and a great test for the group. ??