Barnes Ladies 1st XI v Rosslyn Park Ladies

BARNES LADIES 1st XV 67 ----14 ROSSYLN PARK SLINGBACKS

Heads high after our pre-season win at Wimbledon last week, we rocked up at Barn Elms Sports pitches on Sunday with a sense of confidence and excitement for our match against local rivals Rosslyn Park - Slingbacks.

With a few old faces now playing for the opposition, we were slightly wary what we could be up against - but those fears would soon be a distant memory as we got going. Playing on the main pitch used by the men's 1st XV for the first time must have given us an extra bit of gusto!

A great bit of backs play early on paid off, with fly-half Ashley Holloway breaking the line, and offloading to Captain Hellie Barcroft who scored right under the posts. Ashley then converted - great start!

Another try from us shortly after with lock Camilla Barlow diving over for her first score for Barnes. Spirits were very high on the sideline, whilst our Whatsapp group pinged with messages from those getting score updates!

We won a line-out, and got the ball straight out to center Tati, who nipped back inside from the right wing. With pace on her side, Tati put the Slingbacks on the wrong foot with a very convincing dummy, and scored a try.

Possibly a bit frustrated by the widening scoreline, a Rosslyn Park player got carded for a tip tackle on flanker Ruth Mottershead, leaving the Slingbacks with just 14 players for the last 10 minutes of the half. The tackle couldn’t have affected Ruth too much though, as she shortly smashed through their defensive line to score - bringing the score to 26-0.

Some excellent work by the forwards followed, with Bethan Phillips running a great support line to drive Barnes forward after a lineout. After again knocking on the door, another try from Barnes, as Caro made a break from a good phase by our forwards. Over the line she went, and - converted again by Ashley Holloway.

By half-time we were at 38-0 after a try from our 8, Taz Bogue. Oranges all round, and a few rousing words from coach Kirsty. Overall, the first half saw some fantastic team-work getting great results, with everyone putting their hand up to make powerful carries, running support lines, and putting in some crunching tackles in defence.

Barnes went into the second half with the same pace as we started. We ripped the ball from Rosslyn Park after a scrum and made it our own - Ruth Mottershead punishing them with her second try of the match.

Back in play and a loose ball was pounced on by new recruit Morven - playing her second game ever of rugby after joining the Barnes family last month! We then whipped the ball out to full-back Hollie Johnston, who scored.

Unfortunately the Slingbacks took advantage of a turnover ball, and scored their first try. Not ideal, but no biggie as we soon got back on it.

After good pressure from us, the Slingbacks gifted us a scrum, which we gratefully won, and scored a try from, by power-prop Hester Odgers. Taz stepped up for the conversion, and didn’t disappoint.

The conversion wasn’t enough for Taz. After kick-off we won a scrum - she decided she wanted another try, picking up the ball from the base of the scrum, speeding the legs up, and crossing the whitewash.

After a good few phases and some excellent linkage between the forwards and backs, Barnes' new player C got the ball out once again to Hollie Johnston, who scored her second try of the game - rounding off our tries for the match.

Final score: Barnes 67 - Rosslyn Park 14

Team: Charlotte L, Neda, Bethan, Rachel, Camilla, Ruth, Hester, Taz (VC), Hellie (C) , Ashley H, Caro, Tati, Charlotte B, Sarah, Hollie. Impact players: Ashley B, Morven, Emelia, Annie, Maddie.

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Want to get involved? Whether you've been playing rugby for years, have been playing at University, or never picked up a ball before, we’d love to expand our Barnes rugby family!

Come along to training - we train at Barn Elms Sports pitches ( Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, SW13 0DG) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm. Get in touch with us @barnesladiesrfc on Instagram, or message through Facebook - just search on Barnes Ladies RFC !