A WARM WELCOME TO BARNES RFC
Let us give a traditional Mighty Oaks welcome today to another first time visiting team in the imposing form of Barnes RFC.
We do not often entertain a club that began league life at a level lower than ourselves. While disappointed that we were placed in Level 8 in 1987, the outfit now known as Barnes RFC started in Surrey 3, then a Level 9 division.
Our guests’ beginnings were, like ourselves, in the 1920s but under the name Old Harrodians as this was a part of the sports club for employees of the Harrods department store. When Mohamed Al-Fayed sold the sports ground and clubhouse for housing development in 1990, the rugby arm found themselves with no ground or clubhouse. This could have been curtains (excuse the pun) for them, but all the members got stuck in physically and financially. They found and refurbished an old clubhouse near their training ground and began playing matches at that ground as well.
Now renamed Barnes where they were situated, and drawing from local West London talent, they began moving steadily up the RFU leagues pyramid. Periodic promotions, and always competitive, by the end of the 2009 season they found themselves in a Level 5 playoff match hosting Bracknell. An historic win elevated this essentially village club to the giddy heights of Level 4. That first rarefied atmosphere season was one too far, and relegation pricked their balloon. However, in a titanic four-way tussle, Barnes immediately prevailed again. Apart from one blip in 16/17, which was immediately corrected, they have been prominent and powerful opponents at this level ever since.
Ed Alteirac, our 1st XV captain in 10/11 and an 84 appearances veteran, swanned off to Barnes RFC at the end of that season to seek pastures new. Ed always said he would come back and try for his 100 mark, but I think that time has run out on him by now! With both clubs in the same division, we wonder where Ed’s allegiance will lie today.
Our visit to Queen Elizabeth Walk in October was a sobering affair. However, Adam’s squad have adapted well to this unique level, especially at home. Our experiences since then, together with full vocal support from The Oaks Faithful, will hold us in good stead for today’s rematch.
Howard Pearl
Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:
Bury St Edmunds v Blackheath Henley v North Walsham
Old Albanian v Westcliff Rochford Hundred v Dorking