Hemel 17 - 12 BERFC

Off to Hemel for our second competitive visit of the season, for the first match in the County Plate. We’d come away with the spoils in September in the league meeting – and we knew we’d be in for a battle once again.

With a constant cover of light rain, and a chilly wind blowing, it was once again a pleasure to find a decent playing surface – as we won the toss and opted to play up the slope in the first half.

From the kick off, Barnet inched their way up the slope with the forwards working particularly well as a unit, but the Hemel defence held firm. A couple of forays from the Barnet back line were met with equally stern resistance – but the ball remained in the Hemel half, with determined attack met by resolute defence – until 10 minutes in, a turnover and a long clearance by Hemel was followed up with a determined chase, the Barnet fullback was committed into the tackle, and Hemel attacked down the empty blindside and ran half the length of the pitch to score 5 – 0.

Barnet attacked straight from the kick off and continued to press up the slope, and within 5 minutes were level. Once again, the forwards ran through a series of set plays, gaining valuable yardage each time, enabling Lawrence to drive over. 5 – 5.

On 20 minutes Hemel regained their lead – Barnet were caught offside at a ruck 5 metres from their own line – quick thinking by the Hemel number 8 – a quick tap and very difficult to stop from that distance by a slowly retreating defence 10 – 5.

The remaining 10 minutes of the first half were fought out with equal gusto by both sides, but with no further score.

The second half followed much the same pattern, with chances at both ends, but defence very much the order of the day, and some well placed kicks from Hemel gaining them valuable ground up the slope.

With 10 minutes remaining, Hemel stretched their lead. An attack up the right flank, and a Hemel player cutting in and avoiding four tacklers, before being dumped over the line with the ball in his hand. 17 - 5

Barnet forwards reverted to basics again, driving a couple of a yards at a time, and once again this paid dividends, with Harry being the beneficiary this time to drive over and bring the scoreline to 17 -12 – but Hemel held firm to win the day.

A great 60 minutes of rugby, highly competitive, but played in the right spirit – and an amicable parting of ways.

For Barnet - one league fixture to focus on to close out our campaign. For Hemel, a plate semi vs Hitchin, to fit in with their consecutive league fixtures vs Saracens, OAs and Tabard