Defence holds firm in charge up ladder

9:35pm Wednesday 29th November 2000

Twickenham 0 Barnet Saracens Elizabethans 9

London League Division Three North-West

In atrocious conditions, Barnet Saracens Elizabethans played sensible rugby to overcome Twickenham, who had been early league leaders.

The victory allowed Barnet to leapfrog the west London team and they are one point behind the new leaders, Hertford, beaten by Barnet last month.

Following heavy rain hours before the match, a strong wind added to the problems.

By the end, the two teams were indistinguishable in the mud, despite Twickenham changing into fresh shirts at the break.

The heavy pitch also led to a change in referee after 30 minutes as the original official strained a calf muscle.

The difference between the two sides was greater than the three penalty goals kicked by Richard Perkins in the first half.

The lineouts were dominated by Richard Greenwood and James Geekie to the point that Twickenham could not risk throwing in straight as they needed to avoid Barnet's jumpers.

Their defence was solid and centres James Thompson and Duncan Spear put in big hits on their opposite numbers to deny Twickenham any space.

Their front row took a late scrum against the head. Pretty it was not, because the mud, rain and wind prevented any open play. But Barnet made use of their possession and, in the first half, kicked well.

Twickenham did have a few chances, but Barnet defended resolutely and kept their opponents out.

Twickenham's coach Andy Robinson is a former Queen Elizabeths school teacher and Saracens player but he was unreserved in his praise for how Barnet had adapted their tactics to the pitch conditions.

Barnet's next home league match is against Welwyn on December 9.