Greetings all, and welcome to 2020, a new decade of exciting rugby ahead at Barnes RFC
It was disappointing that both the 1st XV and 2nd XV games at Esher, our last of 2019, were postponed before Christmas, because the Esher pitch was a bit muddy - isn't that what we forwards enjoy the most?

The upside is that our players have had three weeks off nearly, to rest, recover from aches pains and injuries and get themselves ready for action for this Saturday, when we entertain Redruth at Barn Elms, as National League 2 action gets going again after the end of year break.

The postponed Esher 1st XV game will be replayed on 22nd February 2020, hopefully in drier conditions! I do feel sorry for Esher as they had 200 for lunch, at least that still went ahead, and I am sure a brilliant time was had by all.

The season is now halfway through, it has gone in the blink of any eye hasn't it? As Barnes RFC Chairman, I am very proud of all we try and do on and off the pitch, from helping girls and boys who have never played rugby start playing, to developing further the girls and boys that already play at Barnes, to the vibrant style of rugby played by our Ladies teams, to our robust Occies and our evergreen Vets, and, of course, to our amazing 1st XV squad of talented rugby players.

Saturday’s game, our first of 2020, is incredibly important for Barnes who are in search of a much more successful second half of the season than we had in the first half. We take on one of our closest rivals in National 2, Redruth, kicking off the second half of the season with cracker-jack of a game. It does feel like this is very early in January to be playing our first game of the year, but at least we are playing at home, I do pity the Redruth lads having to travel so far so soon after Christmas, I guess it could be a lot worse travel-wise, imagine if they were travelling Leicester or Bury St Edmunds!

Our record in recent seasons is not at all bad against The Reds, in fact, on the last three occasions we have met, there have only been two points between us in each result.
In the 2018/19 season, we lost at Barn Elms 12-14 but won at their place 20-22.

We repeated that result, and margin of victory, at the beginning of this season, winning away again, this time 8-10, in a real nail biter.

So, on paper we are two teams that are closely matched, both are teams that battle hard to win, and when one of us does win, well, we tend to do it by the smallest of margins. But games aren’t won on paper, are they? Ultimately it will depend on how both teams turn up this weekend, how the aches, pains and injuries have all cleared up, and how up the players are for a tough encounter.

Redruth are flying high at 5th in the league, seven places above Barnes, they have double our overall points tally, so they have every reason to be confident, but Barnes too have gained some confidence from their last two wins on the bounce. It is going to be a great game and hopefully, Barnes can start off 2020 with a big Barnow win!

There are three Barnes RFC games in all this weekend:

• Barnes 1st XV vs Redruth 1st XV - 2pm KO
• Mayfair Occasionals vs Cobham - 2pm KO
• Chesham Ladies vs Barnes Ladies 1st XV - 2pm KO

Here's to a stonking 2020, may all our games be played in the original spirit that we so cherish at Barnes RFC - and please get down and support both the 1st XV and Occies who are at home on Saturday. If you fancy a trip to Cobham on Sunday, then I am sure that they would appreciate your support too!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy 2020, may this year bring you peace, happiness and joy, and may today’s game be played in the original spirit we embrace so much at Barnes RFC.

And don't forget to support our ladies as they host their first ever Ladies Celebration lunch on the 12th January. See more info here: https://www.barnesrfc.org/news/barnes-ladies-raffle-and-ladies-lunch--12th-january-2020-2496262.html

Onwards and Upwards!

Michael Whitfield - Chairman - Barnes RFC