Having been cocker hoop the week before, after a resounding victory over league leaders TJ’s, Barnes Men’s 1st XV came down to earth with a bang on their visit to Westcombe Park, losing 24-19 in a lacklustre performance.

In every facet of the game the home team were superior as Barnes found it hard to raise their game to their normal level. This takes nothing away from Westcombe Park who thoroughly deserved their win, and they clearly wanted it more than we did. Victory would have taken us top of the league, with TJ’s slipping up for the second week on the bounce, but the loss merely extended their lead to 2 points and a game in hand, and it also allowed Dorking to catch us up too as they thumped Worthing, so all in all a pretty disappointing week in our quest to win National League 2 East.

But, all is far from lost. We go again this week, it is a massive week with a home tie against Old Albanians, who have won 6 on the bounce, including TJ’s last week and Dorking too.
Our earlier game against OA’s at their place in November was on one of the coldest rugby days I have ever encountered. Both sides became quieter and quieter as they slowly became blocks of ice - it was so cold! It was a game of intense attrition, not one for the casual spectator, but one we did emerge victorious 10-13. Saturday is going to be very tough, we have a ton of injuries, which compounded our problems last week, and OAs are on a successful role. We will need a performance at the level of the TJs game a couple of weeks back and leave absolutely zero in the tank.

Knowing this bunch of lads, and I am including our whole squad, which comprises both our 1st and 2nd XV’s, they will have been hurt by last week, and they will bounce back and want to make an emphatic statement of intent against OA’s. The wounded lion is often the most dangerous in the jungle! Go Barnow!

Last week we entertained our friends from Fenkiss in Latvia and our Men’s 2nd XV came out on top 58-28 in an entertaining match at Barn Elms. Our Women’s 1st were in action last Sunday, when they travelled to Hove and alas came second, 33-10.

There is, of course, more rugby this weekend at Barnes, with three top teams at home at Barn Elms.

Our Men’s 1st and 2nd XVs are back in action with a vengeance this Saturday, with the 1st XV taking on Old Albanians in a critical league match in National League 2 East at 3pm, whilst the 2nd XV also play OAs earlier with a 12:30 KO, so they can also watch the 1st XV when they kick off.

On Sunday, our Women’s 1st XV are also at home, this time taking on Streatham and Croydon in what will almost certainly be a humdinger.

Saturday also sees us team up with Rugby Against Cancer
One in two people will suffer some form of cancer in their lifetime, and all of us will know someone who has died from this dreadful disease, or who may have it now. This Saturday is even more poignant for the club as recently one of our Under 16's dads has just lost his long fight, absolutely tragic for his family and friends alike. There is plenty of opportunity for you to get involved at the Minis training session in the morning, to the lunch before the Old Albanians, at the game itself and back in the clubhouse after the game.

Good luck to all our teams this weekend, and do come down and support Barnes and Rugby Against Cancer in special day on Saturday together at Barn Elms.

Onwards and Upwards Barnow – For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield - President Barnes Rugby Club