As the season draws rapidly to a close, our Men’s 1st XV plays their penultimate National 2 East game of the 2024-2025 season on Saturday, it is also their last home game of the current campaign, against old rivals Henley Hawks.

And of course, as the adult season finishes, it signals the start of the touring season. With over 700 players, coaches and parents touring all over the UK and European mainland, Barnes Rugby is proving itself to be a brilliant band of tourists too, kicking off last week with an inaugural Under 23’s tour to Seville. We await their safe return and the no doubt legendary tales of derring-do, maybe even some rugby, a brief summary is below from Chris Williams.

Before looking ahead to this weekend’s three games, which are all at home in Barnes, let’s recap on two humdingers played last weekend, with the Men’s 1st XV travelling to Bury St Edmunds on the back of two defeats in a row, and the Women’s 2nd XV playing Tabard.
Putting a team out for the Men’s 1st XV recently has been a major challenge with 40% of the whole 1st XV squad either injured or unavailable. Our two losses therefore to Westcombe Park and OA’s whilst gutting, were not that surprising, and we know the lads that pulled on the green and gold in those games did us, and themselves, proud, but there was just not enough gas in the tank to get us over the line in either game. This is not meant to be an excuse, just a fact, and at this time of the season most clubs in our league will be depleted by injury or apathy, end-of-termitis and player fatigue is most definitely setting in.

This season however is the worst I can remember in for 20 seasons for injuries, fortunately we have a 1st XV squad of over 50 players or we would be right royally screwed!
So, we travelled to Bury with true grit and determination, if not a little trepidation, but with a bunch of lads determined to stop the rot, and they did not disappoint.
In short, we blew Bury away in a dominant first half performance, scoring 6 tries and taking a 12-38 lead into the second half. It was a remarkable half; the lads dug deeper than deep and effectively Bury were playing with pride only in the 2nd half. With a strong breeze behind them they fought back hard, but the mountain was too high, and the Barnes heads calm and the defence resolute and we deservedly returned to winning ways wit ha 31-41 result.
On Sunday, our 2nd XV played Tabard, who turned up with 12 players, but at least they turned up so a huge thank you to them. A 12 -a-side game duly took place which Barnes were rampant in from start to finish, winning 106-0 - I don’t ever remember an adult game finishing with a score over 100 points in our favour so amazingly well done to all our Women that took part. A match report is below from skipper Bethan McGarva.

So back to Saturday’s key Men’s 1st XV game at Barn Elms against Henley Hawks.

The Hawks come to Barn Elms after losing last week 34-50 to league Champions elect TJ’s 34-50 and their last 4 games have seen them win 2 and lose 2, which is exactly the same record that Barnes have recorded over the same period. Our games over the last 10 years against the Hawks have been mainly honours even.

Earlier in the season we travelled to Henley and the game had a similar feel to last week’s encounter at Bury, where we dominated the first half to lead 24-10 at the break and eventually won 22-32 as Henley threatened to get back in the tie, but ultimately we held them out. We would take that result this weekend for sure!

This weekend, apart for the Men’s 1st XV home game on Saturday, and the Women’s 2nd XV home game on Sunday, the Men’s 2nd XV also taken on Henely at Barn Elms, before the 1st XV main event.

Please, please, please do come down and support the lads and lasses this weekend, the weather looks phenomenal, hot and sunny, and we do love playing with the sun on our backs!

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - President Barnes RFC

Here is a summary of the 3 home adult fixtures this weekend:
Saturday 12th April Fixtures
• Barnes Men’s 1st XV vs Henley Hawks - 3pm KO
• Barnes Men’s 2nd XV vs Henley 2's - 2pm KO
Sunday 13th April Fixture
• Barnes Women’s 2nd XV vs Ampthill - 2pm KO

Under 23 Tour to Seville - words by Chris Williams
24 players and 15 supporters headed to Seville last weekend on an epic 4-day tour.

Activities included 5-a-side football, touch rugby, padel tournament, Seville city tour, and general enjoyment of the local food and beverages.

The big game was won convincingly against Seville CAR rugby club 2nd XV on Saturday afternoon in baking heat.

Our hosts were very generous with a wonderful reception at the club house, building strong ties with another great club in Europe.

Our thanks go out to Ted Wainman (aka “Teds Tours”), for organising another phenomenal trip. With such attention to detail, the squad even got a relaxing day on the beach in Malaga on Sunday, with a chance to graze on sangria and sea food and reflect on a very special weekend.

We look forward to many of the lads representing Barnes RFC Under 22’s on Easter Monday (21 April, 14:00 – 17:00) at Cobham RFC, competing in the top-tier final of the Surrey U22’s cup, versus Reeds, Cobham and Wimbledon.

Barnes Women’s 2nd XV 106 - Tabard Women’s 2nd XV - words by Captain Bethan McGarva
Last Sunday was a gloriously sunny day for rugby. After a long string of 1’s games, the 2’s were excited to take to the pitch and show off the hard work put into training. Tabard made the journey over with 12 players which Barnes happily matched.

The 12-man structure meant it was a great day for running rugby which our backs took advantage of with Noor Limmer immediately scoring straight out of the blocks. Despite some determined and well drilled defence from Tabard the tries kept on coming from backs and forwards alike!

Following flashy play and tries from Molly Taylor, Mel Vilca, Coz Wilding, Millie Mitchell and Liv Branga we headed into half time 50-0 ahead.

The second half continued in much of the same pattern with Barnes running some impressive lines and putting into practice recent moves learnt in training. Further tries from Angie Chow, Maria Cienfuegos, Zoe Green, Izzy Jackson and Hollie Johnston put Barnes firmly ahead and a final try from front rower Kitty Robinson sealed the deal giving Barnes a 106-0 victory.

All credit to Tabard who showed exceptional determination, spirit and sportsmanship. We wish them the best for the rest of the season and look forward to our next match against them!

Sunday also saw the return from injury of powerhouse Joss Martin who had an epic match smashing through defensive lines, making huge tackles and scoring a try!