BERFC 17 - 12 Old Albanians B

Our previous league encounter against OAs had been a great advert for junior rugby, where we’d just pipped OAs at the post to win 12-10. A similarly close game was expected – and we weren’t disappointed.

With puddles and soggy patches aplenty, from the kick off Barnet played to the conditions and stuck the ball up their jumper. This approach soon paid dividends, and with 5 minutes on the clock, Barnet had driven the ball over for their first try – and a 5-0 lead.

Barnet continued to press, but OAs held firm and as the ball popped out the side of a ruck, the OAs number 7 was first to react and sprinted half the length of the pitch to bring the scores level at 5-5.

Back came Barnet, and after another spell camped in their 22, the solid OAs defence was breached once more to put Barnet ahead 12-5.

The big strong OAs right winger was a constant menace, giving the Barnet defence all sorts of problems, but from a turnover ball in the OAs 22, a quick spin down the line and it was the the OAs left winger who did the damage, showing great pace to outsprint the Barnet defence and touch down under the posts to bring the half time score level at 12-12.

The second half was a similarly high paced half affair – with both teams rolling on substitutes – and chances at both ends. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Barnet won a scrum in their own 22 – a long clearance was spilled by OAs – and the Barnet winger pounced on the loose ball. Barnet rumbled the ball down the pitch – a nice show and go in the centre cut through the retreating OAs defence, the ball was kept alive and went through 2 more sets of hands, culminating in Barnet’s 3rd try – to nose ahead 17-12.

The final eight minutes had OAs asking major questions of the Barnet defence – but the boys dug in, most notably on the right wing with several tackles driving OAs backwards. Tackle followed tackle, and the door stayed firmly shut – with Barnet running out eventual winners, 17-12.

Some really good work all through the Barnet team, in defence and attack - and both teams played their part in a great game of rugby.

Special mentions to Miles, who put in consecutive tackles, driving the opposition backwards – and Basher Bailey – who put in one of his trademark bone crunchers when one of the OAs forwards decided to run a penalty.