Our blended U16s Trinity Warlingham Barbarians fell to a narrow 8-7 defeat against Battersea Ironsides B, in a fiercely contested Surrey League round 2 clash. Taking the minutes of the game was Dan Crouch, who shares his thoughts below.

“The Barbarians started brightly, enjoying a period of early dominance before Battersea edged ahead with a straightforward penalty in front of the posts. Refusing to be rattled, the Baa-Baas responded through some powerful carries and some choice kicking that laid the platform for sustained attacking pressure. Their persistence was rewarded when a perfectly judged cross-field kick from Cooper Currie bounced kindly for Dylan Tenwick, who showed sharp instincts to gather the loose ball and cross under the posts. Currie added the extras to give the Barbarians a 7–3 lead.

However, much of the remainder of the first half was spent deep inside the Barbarians’ own 22. Struggling to clear their lines under relentless pressure and better kicking from the opposition, however, the Baa-Baas’s were finally undone on the stroke of half-time when they were penalised for holding on at the ruck. Battersea took a quick tap, moved the ball wide, and finished in the corner. The conversion was missed, but the home side took an 8–7 advantage into the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Battersea enjoying territory and possession. Yet the Barbarians’ defensive display was nothing short of heroic. Time and again the hosts were repelled by outstanding organisation, bravery, and commitment, with every player fronting up against a sizeable and powerful Ironsides pack.

Special mention must go to Harry Lavine, named Barbarians’ Player of the Match, whose relentless tackling and dangerous counter-attacking from fullback gave the side a constant spark. Dylan Tenwick not only scored the team’s try but also produced several superb cover tackles and incisive runs that kept Battersea on the back foot. Francis Bambury made his debut for the U16s, stepping up impressively and showing real promise in a tough fixture. Tete’s organisation and intensity were central to holding the defensive line together, while Ali Karimi and Declan repeatedly punched holes in the opposition with their strong ball carrying.

Despite their defensive resilience and moments of attacking brilliance, the Barbarians struggled to escape their own half in the second period and couldn’t convert pressure into points. When the final whistle blew, Battersea held on for a narrow victory, but the Baa-Baas left the field with immense credit. Their spirited and determined performance drew admiration given the physicality of their opponents. Ultimately, penalties and uncharacteristic handling errors proved costly, denying the Baa-Baas what would have been a memorable win.

Both sides showed excellent sportsmanship throughout, particularly given the bruising nature of the contest and the number of injuries sustained.

The result leaves Trinity Warlingham Barbarians with one win and one loss from their opening two Surrey League fixtures, but with performances of this character, they can look forward to the rest of the season with confidence.”