Barnes 24-45 CS Rugby 1863

CS Rugby 1863 has an unexpected source of help in the run up to their National Three London & SE derby against Barnes on Saturday.

Former Scotland head coach Frank Hadden, whose son, Scott, is the Chiswick side's fly half, helped CS head coach Gareth Jordan take a training session two days before the big game.

Hadden senior, who led Scotland to Calcutta Cup wins in 2006 and 2008, as well as the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter finals, certainly had an impact as CS did the derby double over their neighbours.

For although CS – in their former guise as Civil Service – were one of the founder members of the RFU, in recent years it has been Barnes who have enjoyed superior status on the field.
But Saturday's result meant two wins this season in favour of the team from the Middlesex side of the Thames, and an early birthday present for a club which officially turns 150 in just under three weeks' time.

Barnes controlled possession early on, but the script soon changed dramatically, and by half time CS were leading 24-12 as tries from Jon Webber, James Houstoun, Stuart Peel and Freddie Taylor delivered a bonus point.
Three penalties from fly-half Hadden junior then punished multiple Barnes indiscretions early in the second half and effectively put matters way beyond the hosts' reach, before the sides shared four further tries as the entertainment continued.

Forwards Chris Endersby and Sam Glasson wrapped things up for the Stags before Barnes secured a bonus point themselves after yellow cards reduced the CS pack to six. But it had been a day for those in the open spaces rather than the dark recesses of the scrum.