With half the overall first team squad of 50 injured or unavailable we went down, but for some missed lineouts in the Henley 22 in the last 15 minutes, we might well have sneaked the win, but fair dos to Henley, they wanted it just a little bit more. Absolutely no criticism of our lads, there were brave and fought to the final whistle.

Our last Men's 1st XV game of this season is on 26th April, when we travel away to Oxford Harlequins with our Men's 2nd XV also on the double decker bus, there will be plenty of spaces if you want to go on the final road trip of the season.

A very happy and peaceful Easter to all our players, supporters, parents and friends.

For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!

Michael "Rhino" Whitfield - President Barnes Rugby Club

Barnes 19-21 Henley Hawks - words by Rhino

In a scrappy game that bore all the hallmarks of a tired end of season display, Henley emerged deservedly victorious against Barnes at Barn Elms in a low scoring encounter 19-21.

Barnes gave away a host of penalties in the first half, ceding the advantage to the visitors too often but Barnes did start the game at pace, Jacques Birch scoring after four minutes, giving the home team a 5-0 lead. Five minutes later the Hawks took a 5-7 lead, with Jamar Richardson scoring and the evergreen Max Titchener converting. With Barnes on the attack, a loose pass was intercepted by Titchener, who ran the length of the pitch to score and convert his own try making it 5-14 to Henley after 19 minutes - it is fair to sat that Max looked very tired after that effort!

Birch responded with his second try of the game, Elliott Haydon converting to reduce the deficit to 12-14 but, right on the stroke of half time, Kadeem Collins scored for Henley and with Titchener converting, they headed into the break 12-21 in front.
The second half was error and penalty strewn by both sides, Barnes scored the only points in the second period, a text book catch and drive from the line out saw the retiring hooker Matt Humphreys crash over, Haydon adding the extras to bring the home side within two points at 19-21.

Despite a raft of opportunities, Barnes could not add any more points and Henley thwarted every attack and the game petered out with Henly on top.