CS Rugby 1863 19 Barnes 12

The last time CS Rugby beat Barnes first team was prior to the advent of leagues in 1988 and the teams were respectively Old Harrodians – because of their connection to a certain Knightsbridge shop - and Civil Service. Six times we had met previously at this level since our first league encounter in 2007 with only the odd bonus points to show for it. This was a win to be cherished therefore.

Resolutely as the Stags had played up to half time to be leading 7-5 there was still little rational reason to think this was going to be their day. They had had the use of the not inconsiderable unseasonal east wind, a couple of CS scrums had been turned over, the CS lineout was - whilst better than last week - still misfiring occasionally and - most importantly - Barnes had had the lions’ share of possession, their forwards had put together some threatening drives and the home side had had been tackling their hearts out to arrive at the interval with that slender lead, achieved by dint of a characteristic Scott Hadden dance through the middle after some good recycling work by the forwards had built on the same player’s initial break.

Those Barnes’ advantages were surely going to tell eventually. Barnes themselves, however, had been picking up disruptive injuries and Cambridge Blue Pat Crossley, whose first blue had seen him lining up as replacement hooker against Oxford’s All Black Anton Oliver in 2008, was now in the back row with their replacement prop pressed into service at hooker.

Then the Stags had just the start to the second half that they needed to keep morale high : Barnes made a hash of fielding the kick-off and found themselves defending a five metre scrum with options for CS either side. The ball was secured rather more easily than on some occasions , Hadden threw a big miss pass and Ross Yiend went over unmolested in the corner.

This was an important score and not long after a Hadden penalty effort to extend the league just failed. The mood had palpably changed and the Stags were certainly now doing more than just defending. Barnes were still a handful though and after a succession of penalties and more desperate tackling and yet another quick tap after advantage had yielded them nothing, their scrum half eventually found there was nothing left in front of him as he went in under the posts to tie things up. To compound matters CS’s dynamo Darryl Gore was obliged to take a yellow for the team. With half an hour to go Barnes were again firm favourites.

The sin bin period was weathered surprisingly comfortably, however, and - although it took some sterling work from Gillett at the base to deal with the ball at retreating scrums – the Stags might well even have edged into the lead had Hadden not missed a straight forward penalty. The negotiation of that sin bin period without conceding any further points still provided another hefty morale boost for the home side though and you could sense the growing self-belief.

The crucial score came with seven minutes to go. Some good work in the centre and forward support culminated in a crucial offload to lock, Ben Davies who was able to touch down by the posts. Barnes attacked frantically at the close, much of which was spent in or close to the home twenty-two. The defence held as the clock appeared to stand still but at last the home side could celebrate. New Stags’ coach, Gareth Jordan , a schoolmaster at the Old Harrodian School in Barnes , which has long occupied the building where the Harrodians Sports Club of old used to be, was a very happy man !

CS Rugby 1863 scorers:

Tries:

Hadden
Yiend
Davies

Cons:

Hadden (2)

Spectators’ MOM : Gore