Barnes give the Vikings a run for their money

Barnes cleared the kick-off to touch at 8 metres inside their half. From their line-out Richmond went wide and advanced then recycled the ball 3 times to get a penalty that they ran. They recycled the ball twice to the blind side before the defence forced the ball carrier into touch near their line. Barnes launched an up-and-under from the line-out. At the 22 Richmond chipped over and regained at the breakdown then sent the ball wide for their first try scored at the corner after 2 minutes. The conversion was wide.

Richmond ran back the restart with 6 phases before being turned over. Kicks were then exchanged resulting in the first scrum put-in for Richmond 5 metres inside their half. From that they advanced swiftly through the other half putting together 5 more phases to get a penalty 5 metres out. The ball was put into touch then their pack drove over wide-out at 9 minutes. A very good conversion followed.

Richmond secured the restart and recycled twice moving ahead to get a put-in 15 metres inside their half. After the scrum they soon kicked; Barnes ran the ball, recycling twice having recovered from an error between those, and then kicked ahead. They were penalised for a man in front of the kicker. Richmond ran the ball on into the 22 where the defence forced an error to get a scrum 18 metres out. Under pressure at that and forced back Barnes got the ball out and broke away with 10 very good mixed phases to get a penalty 30 metres from their opponents' line. Their kick took them to 9 metres out where the line-out was stolen. Soon after Richmond were penalised again, now 18 metres out. The next line-out was 7 metres out and Barnes made some ground recycling 4 times before a knock on by the defence gave them a scrum 5 metres out. A no.8 pick-up gained a few metres then one recycle close and another one wide got them to the line where the third got flanker Springer over wide out at the end of the first quarter. A very good conversion from centre Davies followed.

Barnes soon returned the restart with an up-and-under that was dropped by the opposition. Barnes got the ball then an injury stopped play; it was restarted with a penalty for Barnes 5 metres into their opponents' half. The touch kick gained them 13 metres; the ball was quickly released to centre from the line-out then after a recycle blind fullback Foster chipped to the line to get there first and touch down after 24 minutes. Davies added to take the lead.

Much of the rest of the half was even then near the end a wrong decision by Barnes led to a Richmond turnover. They went wide to quickly send a flanker over at the corner just before halftime. A very good conversion from their fullback followed to make the score 14 - 19.

Barnes regained their second half kick-off and kept the ball for 11 phases without advancing but did get a penalty 6 metres into the opposition half in centre field at 3 minutes and Davies kicked the points.

Following the restart two penalties in succession took Richmond to their line-out 6 metres from Barnes' line. Their pack kept the ball in at first then two recycles and a pass to their largest player sent him over at the posts after 8 minutes. The conversion made the score 17 - 26.

Barnes responded well and had the better of territory for the next 10 minutes or so. Then from a scrum just inside Barnes' half Richmond broke blind to get near to Barnes line. The defence held to get a scrum put-in 5 metres out. After it Richmond forced a turnover which quickly led to their last try early in the final quarter. The conversion missed.

Again Barnes stayed in the opposition half from the kick-off. When Richmond did get out of their half they got a penalty they ran it until an error gave the ball back to Barnes and a kick by Foster was chased and regained by replacement Adams who touched down wide-out at 27 minutes. An excellent conversion from Davies followed.

Richmond dominated the last minutes but Barnes defence held as the opposition got close twice, the second time just before the end.

Game under floodlights at Rosslyn Park on a perfect pitch; Light rain before but none during; now wind, not cold.