It was another good weekend for Barnes RFC, with both the Men’s 1st XV and the combined Occies and 2’s XV winning comfortably.

Our Men’s 1st XV overcame a plucky Wimbledon 1st XV 59-22, and the Occies/2nd XV pumped Belsize Park 2nd XV 73-7.

The match report for the 1st XV match, played in sweltering conditions, is below, written by the legend that is Frank the Tank.

This weekend we are firing on all cylinders, and it is the Women’s turn to shine, with both the 1st and 2nd XV’s kicking off their league seasons on Sunday on the BEST pitches opposite the Barnes clubhouse against Hammersmith and Fulham and Belsize Park respectively. Four our 1st XV this will be a true test of ability, this being our debut in the Women’s championship.

On Saturday our Men’s 1st XV travel to Worthing to avenge our 1-point loss on the last game of last season, whilst the 2nd XV travel all the way to Richmond to play the mighty Vikings and the Occies travel to Feltham.

Full details of the games are below, with kick off times. Please do try and get down and support the Women’s games on Sunday, they will absolutely love it!

The very best of luck to all of the Barnes players this weekend, may you play your rugby in the original spirit we so love at Barnes RFC.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - President Barnes RFC

Saturday 16th September Fixtures

• Worthing Raiders vs Barnes 1st X - Kick Off - 3pm

• Richmond Vikings vs Barnes 2nd XV - Kick Off - 3pm

• Feltham vs Occies - Kick Off - 3pm

Sunday 17th September Fixtures

• Barnes Women 1st XV vs Hammersmith & Fulham - Kick Off - 3pm (on the BEST pitches)

• Barnes Women 2nd XV vs Belsize Park 2nd XV - Kick Off - 2pm (on the BEST pitches)

Barnes RFC Men’s 1st XV 59 - 22 Wimbledon RFC 1st XV - words by Frank the Tank

Barnes emerged decisive winners on a hot day in South West London despite a close opening period, beating local rivals Wimbledon 59 (8) - 22 (3).

A tense start saw Wimbledon hit the ground running before home side centre Jordan Souter settled nerves on Ladies Day and opened the scores for Barnes.

Fearless attack, and a well-worked move from Wimbledon, saw number six Josh Stacey dot down to keep them in the Pimms Derby fight.

A first half hat-trick for fullback Cam Roberts inside 10 minutes meant the home team could breathe easy at the break – but not before skipper Josh Davies went in with a quick tap penalty and scored at the whistle.

Within minutes of the restart, livewire hooker Cam Ruddock crashed over to open Barnes scoring for the second half with the club’s sixth try of the day.

A brief fightback and a pair of yellows for Barnes saw Wimbledon hooker Malek bundle over at around the 63-minute mark.

But evergreen Barnes forward Matt Humphreys hit an outrageous line to score Barnes’ 7th try of the afternoon, before Wimbledon lock forward Matt Grobler crossed the whitewash at around the 72-minute mark – but it was too little too late for the Dons.

Great defence and hustle in counterattack saw Army centre Giles Bromley-Martin cross for the home side five minutes before the death.

But it was super-sub Ben Christie who put the icing on the cake for Barnes as he cruised home for the home team’s ninth and final try with a lovely finish.