Firstly there was a brilliant tour to Laon for the Under 11's, Under 12's and Under 13's, massive thanks to Edward Le Mas Latrie and Peter Thomas for organising the 160 intrepid travellers, there is a full and seperate write up on the website for those who are interested.

The Laon tour was closely followed by the Men's last 1st XV game of the season, as Barn Elms had already moved onto summer sports, the game was played at Chiswick RFC over the river, and we duly ended the season as we started, with a convincing 6 try win over Hinckley, 42-17. It seems we love the warmer weather and we finished with 3 good wins on the bounce, let's hope we take that form into pre-season and the first month of next season to get us going well.

After the game, played in glorious sunshine, the players and supporters had a leisurely stroll back to the clubhouse, via 6 famous local hostelries, which rocked to the excited voices of players knowing their work was done for another season.

At the player's supper, the Men's Player of the Season was deservedly awarded to the durable and robust Pete "The Meat" Weightman, who hardly missed a game all season, we will miss him when he goes off travelling for a few months in October!

The Barnes City Lunch made a welcome return in May, with 400 people gathering at the Hilton Bankside for a day and night of fun and frolic. It was amazing to be back and we raised over £60,000 for the club, which was sorely needed to replenish the coffers are two season of zero income. It will be back next year, bigger and better on 19th May 2023, same place, same format!

Many of you will know that we lost Patrick Crabtree to cancer after our last home game in April. His memorial service at St Mary's in Barnes saw over 200 people fill the church and the Barnes Clubhouse afterwards for the wake, where many tears were shed, of both sadness and laughter. As the afternoon morphed into evening, the Barnes massif burst into sustained singing, a fitting way to remember Patrick. Rest in peace you lovely man, you are sorely missed,

This is my final message for the 21/22 season, and wow what a roller coaster it has been, our first full one back since the 2019/20 season.

Pre-season training starts on 30th June so you won't have long to wait if you are missing your rugby (and my inane ramblings).

Enjoy your Summer, wherever it takes you.

See you in September!

Michael "Rhino" Whitfield - Chairman x