This week the update covers not only outstanding wins for the Men’s and Women’s 1st XV’s (the Men overwhelmed Westcliff 81-3 whilst the Women dismantled London Welsh 37-7. The Colts joined the party too, beating London Irish in the semi-final of the Waterfall Cup 45-29, and they now move onto the final on Sunday 26th March, watch this space for details.

This weekend our Men’s 1st XV travel to Sevenoaks, and will be looking to back up our win at Barn Elms earlier in the season, where we won reasonably comfortably 48-10. Sevenoaks are not to be taken lightly however, and the boys will not be complacent at all as they travel to Kent.

Our Women’s 1st XV travel to face Hammersmith and Fulham’s 2nd XV as they continue their battle to get to the top of the league.

Last week’s match reports on all three of the games mentioned above are below.

In this update you can also find out about:
• How a Barnes Invitational XV are taking on the Houses of Lords and Commons at Twickenham on March 30th, and why on earth I am taking to the pitch aged 64!
• The Minis and Juniors 15-year part on 13th May
• The Barnes Golf Day on 23rd June
Here’s to a brilliant weekend of Barnow Rugby, all played in the original spirit we so love at Barnes RFC.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - Chairman Barnes RFC

Here are the details of this weekend’s games:

Saturday 18th March Fixtures
• Sevenoaks vs Barnes 1st XV - 3pm
• Teddington vs Barnes Occies - 3pm

Sunday 19th Fixture
• Hammersmith and Fulham Ladies vs Barnes Women 1st XV - 3pm

Barnes Golf Day - 23rd June 2023
For the first time in many-a-year we have a Barnes RFC golf day, which is being driven by Rich Mayson, the Barnes Originals skipper, ably assisted by Kenny Worrall and Angus Graham.

It will take place at Kingswood Golf Club, 35 minutes down the A3 from Barnes.

The format will be a shotgun start at 9:30am for 20 fourballs.

Whilst we have had lots of interest and people saying they want to play, it will be very much first come first served, the cost is £500 for a fourball, which includes your golf, a bacon sarnie on arrival, food and a beer post your round, it’s a bargain.

If you want to play please contact Rich Mayson richiemayson@gmail.com or me michael@thepinkrhino.com t oavoid disappointment, it is going to be a cracker!

London Welsh Ladies 7- 37 Barnes Women’ 1st XV - words by Ruth Mottershead
Last Sunday saw our Women’s 1st team play London Welsh at Old Deer Park in a local derby.

The Welsh didn’t have a full squad so we agreed to drop to 13 players on field to keep the game competitive.

We got off to a shaky start and struggled to settle into the game, losing possession several times and falling out of shape. After about 10 minutes, a strong break from the Welsh up the right wing saw their winger score under the posts, 7-0 to Welsh.

After a talking to by coach and captain, we took back to the field determined to turn the game around, and immediately looked more confident. Some big tackles off the restart saw us turn the ball over. Several phases of team play later saw fullback Zoe G scored. 7-5 to the Welsh.

The next 20 minutes saw very even play between the two teams. Eventually we got the ball out wide to Liv, who raced up the right wing to score in the corner with one of the most impressive finishes we have seen this year, Barnes took the lead 7-10.

Welsh came back strongly, and had us pinned in our 22 for a while. Our defence held firm, and eventually we got possession. A penalty to us on the last play of the half saw Taz go fast and run straight through the Welsh defence, all the way to the line. The try was converted by Ruth, and we went into half time 7-17 up.

The second half saw a dominant performance from Barnes. Despite big carries from the Welsh, they never broke through our defensive line. We made big ground whenever we had the ball, and eventually, after multiple phases through forwards and backs, Morv barged over the line. 22-7.

Soon after this, a huge break by Amanda, led to quick hands through the backs, with Jen taking the ball almost to the line, and a quick offload putting Zoe G over for her second try of the match. Barnes stretched their lead to 7-27.

Credit has to be given to the Welsh defence. With about 15 mins of play to go we had them pinned on their own try line for about 5 minutes, but their defence held firm under waver after wave of attacks from us. A sneaky out the back from Amanda saw Ruth pick up to score, which extended our lead to 7-32.

Not content with that score line, Lucie, who had looked dangerous all game, went over for our final try on the last play of the game, making the final score 7-37 to Barnes. Another good win for the green and gold, and we remain in 2nd place in our league. This weekend we play Hammersmith and Fulham 2nd XV, whilst league leaders Wasps play Reading, we could do with Reading turning them over for us!

Forward of the match: Taz for her big hits and score from our 22
Back of the match: Zoe G for strong attacking lines
Players player: Morv for her physicality in contact

This bonus point win sees our campaign for promotion continue. We currently sit 2nd in the table with a game in hand.

Next week we play Hammersmith and Fulham away.

Barnes Colts 45-29 London Irish Colts - words by Chris Williams
The Colts won their semi-final of the Quins Cup, against London Irish by 45-29.

With enthusiasm to play high, we had to trim the squad from 30 fit and willing Under 17’s and 18’s down to 23 on the team sheet.

Everyone got at least a half of rugby, honouring the values of our Minis, Juniors and Colts that everyone plays. Barnes were quick out of the blocks, building a comprehensive lead in the first 20 minutes.

When this team is on song, there is little that can stop them. The go-forward structure, and attacking flair and speed out wide, is a compelling watch!

Again, the fast-track at Barn Elms Sports Trust, and the warmer weather conditions, seems to bring the best out of this team. London Irish came back into the game due to a large number of substitutions, but Barnes won convincingly in the end and march onto the finals in a fortnight’s time.

Many thanks to Marty and Jonathan for taking such great photos that are proudly making their way around social media platforms, demonstrating the pride of representing the Green and Gold at Colts level.

Barnes Men's 1st XV 81-3 Westcliff 1st XV - words by Martin Conway
Blistering Barnes blew Westcliff off the park on Saturday with superb forward dominance, and slick work by the backs to run in 13 tries.

From the kick-off, Barnes recycled the ball from the half-way line, down the left wing, with captain Josh Davies throwing a long pass to put winger Chris Stegmann away in the corner. A Louis Ellis conversion gave Barnes a 7-0 lead. Next, a scrum turnover, followed by slick hands from Barnes saw the ball shipped to centre Jordan Souter coming in on the angle, who in turn offloaded to centre Paul O’Dell, who dotted down in the corner.

At the end of the first quarter, the Barnes forwards drove a maul forward 30 metres after a penalty infringement kick to the corner. A couple of minutes later, after several pick and drives, Barnes hooker Dev Hope crosses the whitewash for the first of his two tries on the day. Jordan Souter also scored the first of his two tries from a speculative wide pass which went to hand, scoring in the corner.

As we approached half time, Barnes scored twice more, firstly Dev Hope grabbing his second try and then second row Alex McLean-Nelson broke away before passing to the energetic Jordan Souter to score his second try too. With Ellis slotting the extras, Barnes had an unassailable lead of 40-0 at the break.

Barnes continued where they left off after the break, with more forward dominance, and after a kick to the corner, a lineout offload saw Rory Kassapian cross the line.

The Westcliff forwards were outgunned in the scrum, but their number 8 Jake Bouser managed a few drives with the ball only for the rushing Barnes defence to close down any attacks quickly. Barnes eight try came from a poor kick which landed In the hands of Paul Webb who scored his second try

The 9th try came after Michael Batty successfully juggled the ball to flanker Ethan Harbinson, who scored under the posts. More pain was to follow for the Essex, from a scrum just inside the Westcliff half, Josh Davies received an inside pass to scamper over for his try, and three further tries were to follow from Rory Kassapian, Cameron Leigh and a second for Paul Webb.

Sadly, throughout the whole match Westcliff, did not get any possession or territory to trouble Barnes, the final score 81-3 to Barnow, on next week for the rearranged Sevenoaks game, a potential banana skin which we need to avoid slipping up on!

Barnes Minis and Juniors 15 year party - 13th May 2023 - words from Phil Bailey
15 years ago, five dads and 25 children rocked up on a cold and blustery Saturday morning to play some rugby. From this start has grown to what we know today to be the vibrant minis, junior & colts section of Barnes Rugby Club, of which we are all so privileged to be part.

We are indebted to the founders; Simon Bound, Hugh Ferridge, Chris Lundie, Jason Betteley and Andy Pearson for making it happen and want to celebrate the club reaching this milestone.

As a result, we would like to invite you to the Barnes Minis, Juniors & Colts XV Birthday Bash on Saturday 13 May from 12:00 – 18:00 on the athletics track at BEST. It is going to be a fun family day out with lots of entertainment including:

• Last One Standing, Crazy Golf, Connect 4 Basketball, Bouncy Castle
• Silent disco
• Live Band
• Food
The cost is £10 per person in advance (£12 on the gate). Tickets will be on sale from the shop on a Saturday morning and from behind the bar.
It will be great to see you all there and more details will follow including timing of when different age groups will have exclusive use of the games.