BERFC 12 - 7 Ruislip

...in fact, December 9th was the date we'd previously set foot on the pastures green of Byng Road.

Our opponents, Ruislip were sitting one place off the bottom, we were sitting top of the league. Rusilip had lost their last 3 league games by a combined total of 128 points – we were undefeated.

With Ruislip having half a dozen players back from injury after Christmas – the performance they put in was outstanding – and surely was no reflection on their results from earlier in the season - more a reminder of the team that had beaten Saracens in their first league game. The Ruislip forwards worked really well - strong at the breakdown, and played a particularly good offloading game that we struggled to get to grips with. We had much more success in the backs, but their flame haired full back put in a monster performance, stemming wave after wave of attack – and returning stray kicks and passes with interest.

The match was very tight – Matthew putting us 5 – 0 ahead after 6 minutes, then both sides being held up over the line, before Ruislip levelled on the stroke of half time 5 – 5 .

The second half was as keenly contested as the first, with the Ruislip forwards once again performing well, and Barnet finding the wide ball more effective – with Louis and the Ruislip fullback clashing on several occasions. Twice, Ruislip broke clean through, but were hauled down by the pursuing maroon and blue defence.

With the clock ticking down, the fresh Barnet legs once again seemed to play their part. Barnet crossed the Ruislip line, but were called back for a foot in touch and a couple of 5 metre scrums ensued, but once again Ruislip held firm and cleared their lines and pushed deep into Barnet territory.

With a minute left on the clock, a turnover on the edge of our 22 set the Barnet back line free – with the ball reaching Frazer on the left. A burst of pace took him wide and clear of the Ruislip defence – and this time brain beat brawn as the Ruislip fullback once again stood between a Barnet player and the try line. The full back did manage to get his left arm to Frazer – but a spin out of the tackle – and from 22 metres – arms aloft – he applied the crowning glory to the U15s season 12 – 5. Jubilant scenes followed – and Barnet were able to see out the remaining time for another incredibly hard fought victory.

An outstanding game of rugby between another 2 well matched sides.

Well done, not only to the 22 selected today, but the 30+ boys that turned up for the session prior to the game. It’s that squad, and camaraderie that have seen us through the season. To have 20+ boys training regularly has most definitely aided our progression - even if most of it has been on Astroturf.

HML div 4 has been so very tight – in four of our matches, vs Hemel, Tabard, OAs and now Ruislip, we’ve taken the lead – been pegged back level – then kicked on to victory - each time by a solitary try.

That’s been down to players who can execute those sporadic chances - plus the calibre of players we’ve had on the bench - fresh legs we’ve been able to roll on – and that has made the difference in those close games. 30+ boys turned up today for selection – 3 guys were very very close to the 22 – plus we were missing a few key players due to a 7s tournament.

Congratulations to the whole Barnet Elizabethans U15s squad – you are HML U15s Division 4 2012-13 Champions.