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Barnes Rugby lost the game but Rugby Against Cancer won the day!
OA's may have pipped us at the post but the day was also brilliantly successful as we raised over £3000 for Rugby Against Cancer
Last Saturday we held our first Rugby Against Cancer Day at Barnes, raising well over £3000 in total for this great charity that is trying to make a difference to people’s cancer journeys, be it the person suffering or the relatives and friends.
You can still donate here: https://www.barnowcares.com/rugbyagainstcancer
Our Men’s 1st XV fell at the last hurdle 24-26 in a pulsating encounter against Old Albanians, whilst our 2nd XV came a cropper in a friendly against Richmond Vikings 2’s 0-38. On Sunday the Women’s 1st XV were overrun by Streatham and Croydon 7-79 but the light on the horizon was our Colts winning in the last play of the game against Richmond Colts 33-27, a brilliant result in the context of Colts rugby at Barnes.
This weekend we have only two games to entertain you with.
On Friday night, the Originals will be back in action at Weybridge Vandals, it is a 7:45pm kick off, and on Sunday our Women’s 1st XV will be keen to bounce back after last weekend with a short trip to Hammersmith and Fulham.
We wish both teams all the luck!
Have a great weekend –
Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - President Barnes RFC
Rugby Against Cancer Day
Last Saturday we invited Rugby Against Cancer to Barnes all day and what a day it was (apart from the result against OA’s ☹).
Starting with the Minis in the morning, progressing to the lunch before the big game, and then during the match, Barnow pulled together to raise funds for this dreadful disease, which affects 1 in 2 people in their lifetimes. So far, we have collected together over £3000 for Rugby Against Cancer who help both patients and relatives on their cancer journeys.
But Barnow doesn’t stop there, does it? Let’s see if we can’t raise a few bob more this amazing cause - here is the link, you know what to do: https://www.barnowcares.com/rugbyagainstcancer
On behalf of all of those you know, who have either passed or remain – thank you
Last Saturday, Lauren Ferridge played for the Boston Banshees against the New York Exiles in the first ever professional women's game in North America
Lauren was one of our very early Minis, before her parents, Hugh and Tracy, moved to the US when she was 11. Hugh and Tracy drove the Minis for several years, having been handed the baton by the Minis Founder, Simon Bound, who also went to work in the States.
Lauren never stopped playing rugby though - all through school, Dartmouth College - and for USA Under 18's.
On Saturday she started for Boston Banshees in the inaugural match of Women’s Elite Rugby, the new US professional league.
We think it might be our first Mini to graduate as a pro player!
Well done Lauren, all of Barnes is very proud of you!
Barnes Men’s 1st XV 24-26 Old Albanians - words by Rhino
In a cracking open game OAs deservedly took the win 24-26, albeit Barnes had a penalty to win it in the last play of the match which went wide.
With lightening interrupting the first ten minutes, it was OAs who scored first to make it 0-5 through flanker Ben Alexander with smart line out move.
Five minutes later, with Barnes applying pressure, centre Paul O’Dell stripped the ball and burst through to score, with Elliott Haydon converting, Barnes led 7-5 after 16 minutes.
With the home team in the ascendency, Arinze Okemuo ripped through and scored, again Haydon added the extras for Barnes to lead 14-5 on the half hour.
OAs bounced straight back, poor defence allowing Alex Noot to score and Jones to convert making the half time score 14-12 to Barnes.
Barnes scored first in the second half, ten minutes, in through hooker Matt Humphreys from 46 a dominant line, which extended their lead to 19-12. OA’s then had a twenty minute purple patch, camping in the Barnes 22, and scoring twice through second row George Kingswell Watts and Charlie West, with Jones converting both tries to lead 19-26.
A yellow card against OAs swung the momentum back to Barnes, with Humphreys scoring his second try after a forward drive, but crucially the conversion from Haydon was missed and, with 10 minutes left, Barnes trailed 24-26.
Barnes dug deep and battered the OAs defence which remained resolute. With the team a penalty in the last play of the match, it looked like Barnes would snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but the kick sailed agonizingly across the posts to the euphoria of the OAs players and supporters and the anguish of the home team and crowd.