RESULT Barnes 36 - North Walsham Vikings 25

Barnes 36 North Walsham Vikings 25

Hopes of picking up a win on their first visit to Barnes were dashed as the Vikings slipped to their biggest defeat of the season. Yet the paradox is that they played some of their best rugby against what is arguably the best outfit they have faced so far. Playing an expansive “wing to wing” game the home side kept the Walsham defence at full stretch for long periods, several times establishing overlaps which failed to come off because of some big hits.

As expected Walsham made two changes, both forced, with Iain Young coming in for the injured Tom Holt and the versatile Lee Sandberg for recently departed Rob Clymer. Young after four games on the bench was rewarded with two tries and Sandberg demonstrated his versatility when he moved to scrum half late in the game and his pin point distribution led to the final two touchdowns.

Barnes were quick out of the blocks and early pressure paid when they swung the ball to the right stretching the defence and although Sandberg made a great tackle the ball came loose and centre Adrian Penzhorn touched down and Jack Burgess added the conversion.

Barnes had a penalty awarded in their own half reversed when one of their forwards was found guilty of stamping. Into the wind a kick to touch and the lineout would seem to have been the better choice as Clifford’s kick fell well short, but Walsham were soon back in control. A quickly tapped penalty inside the Barnes 22 was worked towards the line, Stuart Loose was stopped just short but with the referee playing advantage for a further infringement prop Tom Browes gathered the ball and at full stretch planted it one handed over the line, Strydom’s kick sliding just wide.

Walsham had flanker Richie Howlett sin binned for persistent offending probably the victim of “the next one who offends goes” rule. His absence cost Walsham dear as Barnes struck twice in the next ten minutes. Let off when Burgess hooked a penalty wide from in front of the posts, Walsham did themselves no favours when the restart ball went well in front of their forwards, Barnes ran it back and full back Gareth Davies celebrated a soft, unconverted, score.

A good high kick from Adie Ball put Walsham back in the home half but when Barnes counter attacked they turned over ball on the right , Burgess set off on a mazy run before offloading to lock Jim Brownrigg to score and Burgess stretched the lead to fourteen points.

Back at full strength Walsham had one of their best periods of the game winning turnover ball in midfield, Leon Davies broke the defensive line the ball was shipped right to Young who backed himself to take on three defenders, scoring behind the posts, giving Strydom the easiest of conversions. Deep into stoppage time Clifford converted a penalty for offside and Walsham were back in the game.

Walsham continued to press in the early minutes of the second half Josh Reeves and Loose combining well, Barnes conceded a penalty which from a kickable position Strydom pushed wide. Barnes returned to the offensive and a lineout on the left stretched the defence and just when it seemed as though it would hold out Brownrigg forced his way over and Burgess converted. They continued to press and a well placed kick into the left corner was gathered by Burgess who touched down.

Walsham brought on van Vuuren in place of Farrer and rejigged the back line moving Sandberg to scrum half and Strydom into the centre. Barnes had their replacement prop yellow carded which led to ten minutes of uncontested scrums. With the game fluctuating wildly it was Walsham who struck as Sandberg picked up at a scrum his pass finding Young who stepped through for his second. Barnes extended their lead with an unconverted try by centre Mezger but Walsham were still pushing forward and the sinbinning of Brownrigg and subsequent penalty gave them the opportunity for one last push in stoppage time Adie Ball burst through for his first try for the club.

Although this was another defeat the performance was unquantifiably better than that at Tring, The kicking out of hand was more positive and better executed, though more work need to be done on the restarts to give the strong Walsham pack a chance to make their mark.



Team: 1. S.Loose. 2. G.Hoadley. 3. T. Browes (A.Turner 58 Mins). 4. J.Reeves. 5. L.Davies (J.Kelly 52 Mins). 6. I.Beck. 7. R.Howlett. 8. C.Kent. 9. G.Strydom. 10.P.Clifford. 11. L.Sandberg. 12. W.Farrer (S.van Vuuren 54 Mins) 13. J.Burroughs. 14. I.Young. 15. A.Ball.



Scorers: Tries. I.Young (2) T.Browes & A.Ball.

Conversion: G.Strydom. Penalty. P.Clifford.

Cards: Yellow: R.Howlett.

Referee: Andrew Gaynor

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