Last weekend was a great weekend to play rugby, glorious sunshine, firm ground and the end of the season just around the corner. The 1st XV played against Henley Hawks and won convincingly 19-34, whilst the 2’s got up in the middle of the night to catch the 7am flight to play Jersey 2’s, although they came off second best they had a cracking time, commencing the fun with a warmup on the beach playing cricket. The Occies slipped into Summer with a slight defeat, whilst the Women took part in their own 7’s tournament at Barn Elms.

Whilst all of this was going on, 220 Minis players from the Under 7’s to Under 10’s age groups travelled to Brean Sands. Judging by the sate of many of the parents on Monday, it seems that it was a very “tiring” trip all round - you can read all about their adventure here:
Minis in Brean Sands

Our Under 12’s and 13’s were in action on Sunday, in the Waterfall Cup finals, all of the teams were magnificent in each of their games, the stand out result was the Under 13’s A Team vanquishing Farnham 20-15 in a tense thriller, whilst 44 players took part in the three Under 12 teams that we put out on the day. An absolute tribute to the commitment of both the players, and the coaches, whilst not forgetting the parents. Whilst the Under 12's story is in this section below, you can read all about the Under 13's encounters by clicking here:
Under 13's in Waterfall Cup Finals

This weekend 160 players and parents from the Under 11’s through to the Under 13’s are off to Laon in France for the first tour there in three years, the excitement is palpable.

And, if all this wasn’t enough, on Monday 2nd May, the Patrick Crabtree memorial walk takes place, starting at the Barnes RFC clubhouse at 9am with bacon sarnies, we should be back there around 3pm if you are walking to an from Westminster Bridge, but you can walk as much, or as little as you wish, maybe even go over a nearer bridge if you want.

The important thing here it to remember Patrick and to support the fund-raising effort for Royal Marsden, which Patrick’s daughter Florence is driving in Patrick’s memory after his tragic passing a couple of weeks back. If you are in town please do come and join for all, or some of it.

You can find out more on this website, and donate here:
Patrick's Memorial Walk - Monday 2nd May

And then of course, we have the Men’s 1st XV’s final game of the season, it is home (sort of) against Hinckley, I say sort of as the game is being played at Chiswick RFC, just over the Barnes railway bridge.

It is probably a 15-minute stroll from the High St in Barnes so do please try and get there, the lads in in fine form and I am sure will want to finish the season emphatically, and in some style.

So, for the final time this season, here’s to a final weekend of Barnow Rugby, may it be played in the spirit that we all so embrace at Barnes RFC.

Enjoy the match reports below, see you on the other side.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - Chairman Barnes RFC

Henley Hawks 19 - 34 - Barnes 1st XV
After a sumptuous lunch, a crowd of 500 or so gathered at Dry Leas to see Henley Hawks take on Barnes 1st XV. The first encounter of the season ended in a 17-17 draw, a game we felt we should have won, but didn’t.

I had a good feeling about this one, the lads were good against Old Albanian, but I felt an unlocking of the shackles that have been keeping that big performance in check this year, since we overcame Redruth on January 5th after two months unbeaten at the end of 2021.
The sun was out, there a stiff breeze, the pitch in excellent nick and everything was set fair for a great game.

In the first 10 minutes, we camped in the Henley 22, three times we attacked their line, but on each occasion, we were held at bay by the stout Hawks defence.

And then after 14 minutes, a feeling of déjà vu, from Henley's first attack in our half they opened us up like a sharp knife slicing open a bag of spuds, and they scored. With the conversion missed Hawks led 5-0. The déjà vu happened all over again, when, on their second visit they only went and bleedin’ scored again, with the extras bagged, the home side led 12-0 after 20 minutes, the Elton John tune “I’ve seen that movie too” echoed in my mind, how could we be 12-0 down having had all of that early pressure, there was much scratching of heads from our coaches, I was too busy rolling my eyes in disbelief!

But then, it happened, we decided to forget the jittery start, and platy some rugby, and what rugby we played! From the restart, we went through the phases, and it was our other swashbuckling centre, Jordan Souter, who jinked through to score our first points, Rob Kirby missed the extras, but we were now in the game 12-5.

On the half hour, in an off the ball outburst of flapping handbags, the Henley 8 and our back rower, Jack Statham saw yellow, but to be honest no one in the crowd had a clue why. From the penalty we were awarded, we immediately went on the offensive, Big Cameron Leigh, boshing over. This time Kirby converted and suddenly, we were drawing….again…with Henley 12-12.

Jonny Burden left the field after a bad knock on the head, we wish him well as this was his third concussion of the season.

The game fast and loose, the Henley backs failing to hold onto to possession in contact on several occasions, but with repeated penalties in our half, which they opted to kick to touch as opposed to kick, Henley were going for the try. In recent games we have wilted under the catch and drive, but not on Saturday. We resisted the pressure and went into halftime at 12 apiece.

The second half saw a very different Barnes team take the pitch. With 5 mins of the second half gone, Josh Davies recovered a loose ball and set Matt Branfield away on the wing, he dummied his man outrageously, and ran the ball in half the length of the pitch. Again Kirby missed the conversion but we led 12-17, a lead would lose a few minutes later after brilliant hands from Henley, and they moved the ball coast to coast at pace, before their second row skipper bursts through to score under the posts. With the conversion a formality, Henley regained the lead 19-17.

Surely this wasn’t going the way of the roller coaster ride we had against OA’s the previous week? Well, it didn’t, that score was Henley’s last of the game, and for the remaining 25 minutes Barnes were rampant.

Great arrows from Alex March in the line out, led to a superb catch from James Bloxham and the rest of the pack drove him over the line, with the man who started the move, Alex March, rounding off another big performance for him the green and gold. Kirby conjured up a banana kick to get the ball over the bar and we retook the 19-24 with .20 minutes left

With 10 minutes left, Rob Kirby cut through on a delicious line, popped the ball to Josh Davies who had Pete the Meat Weightman on his shoulder at warp speed to complete the move and scoring under the posts, possibly our try of the season, Barnes now led 19-31.
With a couple of minutes left, Kirby slotted a penalty to round of a very satisfying win for Barnes, 19-34 the final score.

What a cracker, can’t wait for the last game next week against Hinckley!

Jersey 2nd XV 54 – 24 Barnes 2nd XV
This was the last game for the 2nd XV in the 2021/22 season, and possibly the last game for a number of loyal Barnes players who have played many years for the club.

Travelling to Jersey is always a challenge on a match day, and number of players had to wake up at 4.30am to get to Heathrow for our flight at 7.30am. Incredibly they all made it, yes even Jack Seymour! Jersey provided us with a coach to our hotel and, after a good breakfast, the players enjoyed some cricket on the beach (thanks to Greg Davies).

Clearly the early morning, and flight, was taking its toll, with Jersey kicking off and storming to a 26-0 lead! However, they were playing down the slope, and with the wind in the first half, but played the conditions very well, and with no small amount of skill. Barnes then found their feet with Barnes veteran, and captain on the day, Nick van Buuren, storming over for a try which was converted by Josh Hammett, this was quickly followed by a very well finished try by Jack Seymour who showed real pace, and is definitely one of our ex-Colts to watch for the future. This brought the score back to 26-12, but after a moment of madness Jersey scored again, and after Barnes gifted them a penalty, the score at half time was 33-12 to the islanders. With the slope and wind behind Barnes in the second half, there was some hope of a dramatic come back when Paul O’Dell finished off a good phase of play with a try to bring the score to 33-17.

Barnes had to force the play from then on, and sadly this meant that Jersey caught Barnes on the counter attack to score three tries (one by their impressive number 8) to put the game beyond doubt at 54-17.

Barnes still showed heart and pride to secure a consolation try from a lineout, scored by Cameron Ruddock and converted by Josh Hammett., the final score being 54-24

While Jack Seymour impressed, so did Ted Parr (a 2nd generation Barnes player) and Rory Kassapian – look out for them all next season.

It was great to see Jim Brownrigg and Patrick Crossley again, two former Barnes 1st XV players, both now living in Jersey. Oli Foster took on the responsibility of Social Security and Judge, brilliantly and was supported by some of Barnes’s finest singers in Anthony Moss, Greg Davies and, of course, Danny Holmes!

Jersey are fantastic hosts and they have recently beaten Guernsey in the Sian Cup (a huge fixture for them) and we wish Mylo and his men the very best and thank you for being such great hosts.

As a final sign off for the season, Paul Spencer trotted on for 5 minutes at the end of the game in his last hurrah, after the game he told me he found the physical contact “ a bit rough for me”….bless him….well played Spence and all the boys. Rest well in the next couple of months, lick those wounds, pre-season starts first week in July!

44 Barnes RFC Under 12’s players take part in the Waterfall Cup Finals
Sunday was the culmination of our domestic season with 44 boys playing in the Waterfall Cup competition finals at Camberley, there were three Barnes Under 12’s teams taking part.

Whilst the results didn’t go our way, each team has played really well to reach their final, and test themselves against tough opposition, who also qualified for the finals with strong results.

First up, the Gold C team played against Haslemere’s B side, who looked a well organised unit with some big players. We started too slowly, and were down 2 or 3 tries before we really started to compete. But some strong runs, from our player-of-the-match Oscar , and Rory in particular, good forward work from Will S, and a few positional changes, helped the team stay in the match, with Derin catching the eye as fly half in the second half. For a team with several players new to rugby this year, it’s really pleasing to see how much progress has been made, and they deservedly selected Rory as their player of the season.

The Green B team followed with their Trophy final against Sutton & Epsom “Black”, a mixed A/B team, in an exciting match of two halves. Although it ended 9 tries to 5 against Barnes, the spirit was great - inspired by captain for the day Chester – and we won the second half, causing a few anxious moments for the opposition spectators. But the team will recognise that they can’t miss tackles and still expect to win with their running rugby. Lots of good performances: Nico provided his trademark crash balls from free kicks, Luca a typically brave performance in a flanker role, Ed and Sammy R doing lots of good forward work, Sam T voted our player of the match by the opposition and Ruben with skill in the backs, all particularly stood out. Tom H was voted by his team our player of the series, recognising his defensive work at full back.

Then the baton passed to our A team; the first Barnes junior side so far to qualify to play the overall Waterfall Cup Final of the top group in Surrey. Unfortunately, the opposition from the other side of the draw, Battersea Ironsides, who had also not lost any of their qualifying matches, proved to be a very capable side, which their results and our intel had suggested! They emerged worthy winners from a competitive game, scoring 5 tries to nil to them, albeit - and appropriately for the final - reportedly the toughest match Battersea had played this season. Credit to all the Barnes team for picking up their performance in the second half, and competing strongly, but the opponents were more precise in attack and aggressive in defence. They voted Henry M our player of the match for some skilful runs and brave tackles from full back, while our team elected their captain Anatole as our player of the overall tournament. The team put in a really big shift, with Bertie another standout performer in the pack. The team can be proud both of reaching the top final for the county, and for the commitment and skill they showed, even if heads were down for a while at the end because they cared so much about the result; this is a team which has gelled really well over the season.

But relief and excitement is at hand, as this Friday 35 Under 12’s players, plus parents, join the Under 11’s and U13’s for our departure to France, for the international part of our season, which is the classic Barnes tour weekend in Laon!