Fullerians 20 - 29 BARNET

Another cancellation, and a chase around several clubs brought us the relatively short distance to Watford for a friendly against Fullerians for our penultimate fixture of 2102. Fullerians currently play 2 divisions above us in the HML leagues and we knew this would be a good test of character for our boys. Our cause wasn’t helped by the late withdrawal of 6 players from the previous weekend’s league squad – but with both sides playing a mixed bag we were hoping to put on a good show.

With Eddie, stand-in stand-off, and Sajjad moving from the back row to outside centre, we were ready to rumble. From the kick off the Barnet forwards showed good control to inch their way up the pitch – but with the Fullers players waiting to pounce at the back foot, any ball out to the backs was immediately under pressure and we found ourselves losing valuable yardage each time – with the forwards then having to make up that lost ground once more.

Fullerians were playing well when they got the ball in hand and ten minutes into the game found themselves a try to the good as the ball was spun out to their right winger who scored in the corner 5-0.

Barnet were still struggling to get to grips with the Fullers rush defence, so opted to keep the play tight and this approach soon paid dividends as we rumbled our way up the pitch – and with Sam held up two feet from the line – Matthew showed his trademark strength to smash his way through for the levelling score – 5-5.

In a full bloodied encounter, we lost Blaze to an ankle injury (minor strain and back on his feet now) – and Andreas – who had run himself to a standstill in the back row. Must have been the weight of captaincy on his shoulders for the day that tired him out – that, or the fact that he was still on Facebook at 03:00! Up stepped Joel Hardy and Liam P respectively – who slotted in immediately.

Fullerians once more got the ball into the hands of their right winger, who stretched their lead with a copybook try – and we found ourselves 10-5 down at half time.

On came River, Julen, Jared, Scott and Liam L, with Lorenzo in at scrum-half, and Louis on the right wing. Straight from the kick off Scott put in a great tackle – and immediately set the tone for the second half. We’d now begun to get to grips with the Fullers rush defence, mixing up our attacks to include angled kicks and up and unders – which now gave our backs a bit more time on the ball. Having found the strong Fullers right winger very difficult to deal with in the first half, Pav soon found that he had the beating of him for pace, and minutes into the second half had brought us level with a blistering run 10-10.

Soon afterwards we were ahead, with the ball going down the backs once more. With the Fullers defence eyeing up Pav, a great show and go by Sajjad allowed him to slice through the retreating Fullers, and with the defence in two minds, Pav showed great awareness to fade outside his man, and Sajjad put in an inch perfect pass for him to finish and bring the score to 10-15.

Fullers were soon back into the game, once again their right winger bounced off several Barnet challenges to bring the score back to 15-15. This was fast becoming a battle of the wingers, strength vs pace.

With the game now opening up this became a great contest – and once more we were able to nose ahead – this time from our right wing. With the Fullers defence rushing up – quick hands down the line left the ball hanging in the air for Louis to dive, catch, and land over the line in one movement for a spectacular finish – and with Lorenzo adding the conversion we were ahead 15-22.

Not to be outdone, you’ve guessed it, up popped the Fullers right winger once again to muscle his way through and score under the posts – but the conversion struck the bar to leave us with a slender lead 20-22.

With ten minutes remaining, a cameo appearance from Lawrence and a tactical switch saw Pav and Louis swapping wings – and that was it for the Fullers right winger as Louis more than matched him physically, even having time to add to his own tally, showing his own pace and strength to charge down our left and finish under the posts. With Lorenzo once again adding the conversion, we were now 2 scores in front - 20-29.

The final minutes were spent in the Barnet 22 – with the boys showing great defence to hold Fullers at bay from several penalties and scrums. Finally, a knock-on, and Barnet scrum for the final play of the game enabled us to clear our lines for a hard fought victory.

Thanks to Fullers for hosting us at short notice and for a great game that we edged by the odd try in nine!

Special mention must go to the Barnet boys who make up growing squad – who weren’t in the league 22 for last week – and once again show the strength in depth and competition for those places:
Louis W Hooker – good strong work in the tight in the first half
Julen Hooker – won everything in the 2nd half
River Loose head – can see good progression in each game he plays
Joel H Second row – showing the same aggression in matches that we see in training
Jared Second row – lacks the physicality of some of our 2nd row players – but more than makes up for it in his work around the pitch
Liam L Flanker – slotted in seamlessly in the second half, showing great commitment
Scott Flanker – set the tone for the second half with his first tackle
Lorenzo Scrum half – carried on from where Henry left off, and 2 conversions as well
Rob Wing – good performance but unfortunate as we were unable to unpick the Fullers defence in the first half

Some of those mentioned above are laying down their markers for inclusion in The 22 – giving the coaches a real slection dilemma for league/cup matches. What was most pleasing was how we absorbed the loss of key players – and those brought in playing to the same game plans – and excelling. With Fraser targeting a return in the New Year, and turning up to watch every match despite his injury – the squad is in rude health!

Unfortunately, recent good performances have lead to unwelcome attention from other clubs who now have some of our players on their radar (and Christmas card list). This is a great compliment, but just makes the boys even more determined to stick together, play rugby for fun, and progress with their mates. Hands off – you know who you are – and we know who you are!

Come on the Bs!