After last week’s enthralling derby loss to Pulborough, a much changed Barns Green side took to the field against a Ditchling team who had been quietly rising up the league table.

The mild autumn weather and firm pitch promised a fast-paced game, and the spectators were not to be disappointed as the first ten minutes saw expansive play from both sides. Ditchling were particularly keen to spread the ball wide early, making the green pack work hard across the park.

A missed penalty denied Green an early lead, before Ditching’s first half pressure yielded a well-deserved try from a powerful short-range scrum. Half time score 8-3 to Ditchling.

The second half resumed much like the first; Barns Green being made to work extremely hard at the breakdown but showing glimpses of their impressive back-line prowess, even with only a sniff or two clean and quick ball. Stand-in fly-half Joe Serna was making good use of pace in the Green back three, probing space with some kicks deep into the Ditchling half. Both sides were soon forced into injury replacements, as the physicality of the contest tolled.

The Ditching pack were in the ascendance by the 50th minute, and a push over try secured next score for them. Barns Green rallied under the posts, and came back at Ditchling with what they do best. A neat cut back from Serna after quick recycled ball opened up the previously solid Ditchling barricade. The subsequent deft inside ball from Serna put centre Sam Callaghan into space with a fantastic running line and led to Green’s first try of the game, with just 20 minutes left to play.

Ditchling finished the game with two more tries, inspired both times by their talismanic number 8. Despite heroic one-on-one tackling from fullback Matt Sprigge, the game line breaks were enough for Ditchling to capitalise upon, as a weary Barns Green defence ran out of numbers in the wide channels.

After the game, Skipper Serna was in a reflective mood: “Despite the disappointment, I would of happily taken 5 wins from 7 at this stage, given we were only promoted this year. We now clearly know what it takes to compete in this league and will come back fitter and stronger in the weeks to come.”

Next week Barns Green host Rye, kick off 2.30PM, in what promises to be another tough contest.

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