Barnes Ladies vs Windsor Dames - 3rd April 2016

Well Sunday didn’t quite go according to plan. We fought valiantly as always, but weren’t able to recover enough to take the game. It was a tough match, and the Windsor Dames came prepared. We could see quite early on why they are second in their league this season, as they’ve got some very quick forwards and their backs are pretty strong and quite nippy too. Their pack had an imposing front row, but it was certainly their speedy flanker called ‘Biscuit’ who was the impact player on the day for Windsor Dames.

The first half was a bit of a white wash, we struggled to get close to their line and on the two or three occasions that we managed to fight our way over their 22m we were pushed back with turn over ball, or the occasion got the better of us and we gave away a penalty. Windsor Dames ran in four tries against us, converting the first two, hitting the post on the third, missing the fourth.

It was at this point that ‘Bat’ imparted the instructions that if we’re taking on the 12 we need to go low because ‘she has a hand off like a bloke.’ And she did, and by bloke I mean Manu Tuilagi – she secured a good couple of tries thanks to her technique, as well as the fact that she was quick and had a great step. This was despite Fran’s attempt to save a try which almost smashed her ribs in!

Barnes started to settle in a bit and our defence picked up. We began to deal with the break downs a bit better and get the ball out quicker. The scrums were tough but with Ian and Obama killing it in the front row, Eleanor and Ruth putting in the big power at second row, Grandma and Beast flanking and our captain guiding proceedings at 8 it was definitely not a pack that was going to be walked over, and we definitely gave them a good fight.

Our crash ball gained us some yards but still wasn’t quite good enough for us to break through the Dames’ defensive line. They ran in another try before the end of the half, but as they were unable to convert the score line stood at 26-0 as the whistle blew.

After a good pep talk in the half time interval, we headed back onto the pitch and from the off we seemed to click into place, the crash balls from Rhi and Jo making a big impact when the ball swung to the centres. The defense by our wings was also incredible with the double Emily combination keeping the Dames at bay out wide while Fran kept a sweeping eye on proceedings.

Unfortunately, after pushing downfield just inside the Windsor half, they managed to turn the ball over in the ruck and one of their powerful speedsters managed to find a few gaps in our defense to cross over the line and draw first blood in the second half. But that didn’t kill off our spirit, and we trotted back to the halfway line with intent, ready to chase up the restart. We charged hard as the ball just trickled over the 10m line and the Dames' loosehead prop gathered it in. I don’t think she knew what hit her, and we managed to put in a solid maul, regaining possession in their half.

The hard work paid off as we worked our way deeper into the Dames’ territory, securing three penalties in a row just centimetres off the Windsor try line. Leslie would have been proud to see us pull off the arrowhead move we’ve practiced time-after-time. We bamboozled the Dames defence with our crossing pods just enough for Lorraine to fight over the line for our first score of the day – the captain leading by example.

But Windsor responded fairly quickly with a try of their own, their number 7 smashing through to take another try, this time far enough over on the right of the pitch that their kicker was unable to convert. It wasn't long before the Dames put in another strong run from their backs and dotted down the last of their tries for the day.

Our spirits still weren't broken and our 'never give up' attitude meant that a second Barnes try happened with 7 minutes left to play. The points were secured off one of Em’s winding tries when the ball glided through hands off the back of a breakdown just inside our own half and into her mitts. As we’ve seen her do so often this season, Em tucked the ball under her arm and pinned her ears back as she stepped around the Windsor ladies’ defense to get over the line just to the left of the posts. At this point, Beast subbed off after a valiant first game back and Ice made her debut out on the right wing while Laura N slotted in at tight head.

The final score of the day came from Fran off a cheeky, well executed little chip up field from Leah that sat up nicely for Fran as she gathered the ball at pace and switched on the gas like only Fran can. She flew through and around the Dames to dot down near the posts for our captain to convert.

Although the Dames won the game in the first half, we like to think that we at least won the second half, managing to secure 3 tries and convert one to give us two points over them for the half - and we managed to take the boat race back at the clubhouse. The Dames were a friendly bunch, although there were some tense moments in the game. They’re the last team in the Junior Plate from the Greater London/South West East region, and as they’re representing our patch, we’d like to wish them all the best for the rest of the competition. And let's not forget, 'they were the best team we've come up against this season' after all...

Highlights of the game:

• Our supporters: Again we had some good support with the 'Dad Brigade' proudly taking up their spot near the side line. We also had Lucy and Karisa spectating from a distance. Megan and Laura popped down too, and we managed to rope Laura in for a trot out in the last 5 minutes. Dave stopped down and cheered us on and ever reliable Pete was there, along with Darien and Sam. There may have been a few others, and apologies for missing anyone out, but it was lovely to have everyone with us in the sunshine, cheering us on.
• Newbies - yes even this late in the season we have them: Technically Laura is a newbie in that she played in her first match for Barnes this season, and she put in some great rucking while she was on the field. Ice made her debut for Barnes after attending only a single contact training session and a captain’s run but what an impact she made, putting in a text book bone-cruncher of a tackle out on the wing within the first minute of stepping onto the pitch. Like all of the wonderful ladies who have joined the team this season, we’re excited to see the quality Ice will add to the team to make us unbeatable next season. Technically not a newbie but putting in an appearance for the first time in a good while, Beast was back in the fold, making an impression on the Windsor Dames with some solid tackling – and also adding a bit more advantage to the team with a big boot…more on that kicking later…
• Coaches and physio: As ever, we had Andy and Nat walking us through the pre-game drills with purpose and confidence, we’re grateful for your belief in us each week – and even more grateful for your patience. Eve worked her magic with the tape as always, patching us up and keeping an eye on us during the game – thanks for looking after us, even if we don’t always listen to what we’re told.
• The boat race: As mentioned, along with winning the second half, we also smashed the boat race. Ice earned her stripes on the field and in the clubhouse with a solid performance in the post game awards. It was a Southfields double with Leah earning a pint for a great first stint at outside half and me for forward of the match although I’m sure it was just a tactical nomination to ensure we won the boat race. Incidentally, we also won the boat race in our first game in the Cup against Hammersmith and Fulham...so at least we've been consistent throughout...
• And last but (hilariously) by no means least – that kick: Now it’s always good to have a few players with a good kicking boot on the field, it always comes in handy when we’re under pressure in our own half. And it’s great to see that while touring away from Barnes our beloved Beast hasn’t forgotten how important kicking the ball downfield is when we’re in a tight spot…except when you boot it into the face of the Referee’s son who is quietly minding his own business on the side line…One of the funniest in-game moments this season I believe and a great way for Beast to reintroduce herself back into the team!

It almost brings a lump to my throat to say it (although my body is definitely quite glad) but it’s the final game of our brilliant season this Sunday. We had an amazing training session on Tuesday, the atmosphere was electric and spirits were high and we need to carry that buzz through with us to the game on Sunday. We’ve achieved so much this season, winning 9 league games in a row, advancing all the way to the quarter finals of the Plate challenge in our first ever entry into a formal cup competition, beating a team in a league above us along the way – it’s incredible what we’ve done as a unit. Let’s draw on these highlights as we focus ourselves on our final run out in green and gold hoops for this season.

As our captain said (when Leslie chucked her under the bus at training) we’ll be playing the last 70 minutes of the season as the Barnes Ladies team. We don’t have to worry about pacing ourselves for any games in the coming weeks, there’s no reason for us to not give everything and leave our all out on the pitch on Sunday to finish this season on a high. It’s a ‘double or nothing’ game due to the issues we’ve had with Tabard Ladies’ fixtures so there’s a lot to play for, but given our performances and what we’ve achieved over the last 7 months, we should be unstoppable on Sunday.

Please can we all make our way to the BEST pitches for 1pm on Sunday so we can warm up and do some run-throughs before the game - I'm sure our captain has prepared a rousing final speech for the changing room so let's make sure we're all there in time to hear it. Remember to invite friends and family members as it’ll be good to have some side line support and to share a pint with them after the game.