Saturday June 5: Starting the day top of the table Barnes were beaten badly at bottom club Bessborough.
The Harrow side hit 243-5 with only spinner Kashif Shafi making real inroads. Despite feeling under the weather he took 4-67 to take his wicket haul to 22 in 5 matches.
The Barnes reply began steadily and even without injured opening batsman Tom Bruce and skipper James Drake-Brockman there was no hint of what was to come.
Yet when the first wicket went at 35 the Lonsdale Road machine began to stutter unaccountably on a blameless wicket, collapsing to 104 all out in just thirty overs.

Saturday May 29 put Barnes on top of the table after they turned an odds-on draw into victory by 118 runs in a rain-affected match reduced to 76 overs.
Losing the toss and being asked to bat, Barnes saw Joe Taylor quickly back in the hutch as the Uxbridge attack moved the ball unpredictably in the damp conditions. With alarm bells ringing, fellow opener Tom Bruce opted for an anchor role and it took a cavalier cameo from skipper James Drake-Brockman (34) to give the innings impetus, before unluckily chopping on. This was the signal for Bruce who had taken no chances in 50 from 36 overs to accelerate sharply, adding 51 in 5 overs in partnership with Geoff Warrington who ironically, having been sent in to hurry along the scoring rate, could only watch from the other end, contributing just seven to the mayhem.
Bruce completed a memorable century, and the declaration set Uxbridge a stiff 206 to win in just 29 overs, a target rendered more theoretical than practical when Barnes opening bowlers Ed Craig and Guy Rowley each struck in his first over. Uxbridge re-set their sights on a draw and a score of 129 to earn the bonus points for the faster scoring rate, but Rowley (4-38) and spinner Kashif Safi (5-26) had other ideas. Supported by razor-sharp fielding, the pair routed their opponents in just short of 26 overs, with only middle order batsman Mangat (33) theatening to derail their progress.

On Saturday May 22 Barnes made it two wins in two away to a good Highgate side. After opening bowler Ed Craig had sent back one of the Highgate openers, the ball was thrown to spinner Kashif Safi who again showed control, guile and experience, picking up wickets and checking Highgate's attempt at some early momentum. The pressure proved too much for the Highgate top order and wickets fell at regular intervals with Carrol and Barnes’ rookie Will Bruce getting wickets as the North Londoners stumbled to 50 for 5. Sensible defence provided the platform for some more expansive hitting as Highgate’s middle order threatened a challenging total, but two good 50’s were cut short by the day’s worst two balls, both well caught on the ropes by Joe Taylor, the second a full stretch dive in front of him, and Shafi’s flight and guile wiped out the tail, the spinner ending with 5 for 57.
Faced with a target of 169, Barnes started well. Joe Taylor was his usual careful self while Tom Bruce was more free-flowing with an eye for attack, an instinct however that led to a slog sweep down the throat of deep mid wicket from probably the best timed shot he played. Brother Will Bruce had played himself in and was producing some impressive shots before chopping on and leaving Barnes at a perceptibly nervous 64 for 2. However Skipper James Drake-Brockman was soon playing confidently, but there was still much work to be done particularly against Highgate’s skipper who produced not only a bit of turn but also a running commentary for the benefit of Barnes’ batsmen.
Then the Barnes captain crashed one back at his opposite number who missed the catch breaking a finger badly in the process. It was perhaps the decisive moment. With their captain on his way to A&E, Highgate lost some belief although they were back in the game when Drake-Brockman essayed the same shot again only to find a safer and less fragile pair of hands. 85 for 3 soon became 104 for 4, but crucially the unflappable Taylor was still there. His 30 runs was mirroring the number of overs bowled when he expertly upped a gear and his run rate considerably while continuing to hit the ball along the ground. Richard O’Neill rotated the strike sensibly until an LBW decision left him both out and nonplussed with a just a few runs needed and a plentiful eight overs in hand.
This was nothing short of a batting lesson from the immense Taylor, who moved from 30 off 30 overs to 70 from 41, top quality innings-building from a man who has been out once in the three opening league games in the process of scoring 143.

The 2010 season promises much for Barnes Cricket Club's Colts with u-10, u-12, u-13 sides competing in the West Middlesex Colts Association. The club has been awarded prestigious ECB Clubmark status as a centre of excellence for teaching young cricketers and has one of the largest teams of qualified coaches in London providing tuition and support for aspiring youngters. Sunday Colts coaching started on April 25th. Click on Cricket for more.

HOCKEY: Barnes Women did all they could to qualify for the National play-offs by beating Staines 5-2 in their last match of the season on Saturday March 27. Yet despite finishing equal on points with Cannock and a massive 17 points clear of third place, Barnes could not match the Midlanders' vastly superior goal difference. Barnes, coming off five straight wins, played with confidence and rhythm but still had to come from behind twice with skipper Sarah Cornwell and Gemma Dunnett netting after some fluent attacking play. Constant second half pressure saw Barnes run away with the game scoring three more in quick succession. Liz Fox and Michelle Stone converted penalty corners, and Triona Doyle deservedly got her name on the scoresheet with the final strike. Sarah Cornwell's verdict: 'We've had a successful season, a great run with an unfortunate blip or two but we've all enjoyed it. Only one team from each of the four Conferences gets a shot at the play-offs and we had crossed our fingers that Cannock might slip up against Bristol Firebrands. In the event I guess their 9-1 victory proved us a tad optimistic.'
Meanwhile in the Southern Premier, Barnes Men crashed 4-1 at Eastbourne to slip to third in the Southern Premier Division two where the two top spots get promoted. Over the season the Lonsdale Road club ended with the second highest goal tally but the goals against column is a telling statistic with the Lonsdale Road side conceding as many as they scored and more than any other team except relegated Havant. 'No one can accuse us of not entertaining' said captain Mark Broad.

Afghanistan and former Barnes all-rounder Mohammad Nabi was named Cricket World® Player Of The Week after topping the wicket-taking charts during the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates. The off-spinner took 13 wickets at a strike rate of a wicket every 9.69 balls to help Afghanistan win the tournament and secure their place in the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean in May. Nabi, who played for Barnes in 2008, turned in match-winning performances against Ireland with a brutal innings of 43 and versus the UAE with a mean spell of 3-17. The draw means Nabi could come up against another former Barnes player, the West Indies' Darren Sammy, who in 2003/4 also played for the Lonsdale Road club. But to do that Nabi must first help his team get past South Africa and India!

Martial arts training at Barnes Sports Club: GUKWOONE Classes run Monday evenings from 7pm. Learn Self Defence, Keep fit and Build confidence! Train in a safe and friendly atmosphere. Children and Adults welcome. Please contact Dr Krishna Rao for further details, or phone Dr Krishna on 07932 53 25 02.

Barnes Sports Club hires out our sports facilities or clubroom with or without our bar service.
We have just refurbished our bar/clubhouse and we have an extensive lawn area available for external events or perhaps a marquee for up to 300 People with selection of Lawn Games.
Whatever your entertaining needs we can normally provide a solution, whether its for a Private Function (with or without the bar), Birthday and Children’s Parties, Summer Events, Corporate Functions, Quiz Nights, or Groups/Classes.
We can offer a wide choice of catering options including
Canapés, Hog Roasts, Traditional Barbeques, Finger Buffets, Self Catering.

Competitive rates.Contact Jason Pior on 07725 91 91 51 or Mike Thomas on 07946 75 57 03.

Your Club needs a new Buildings Director to oversee maintenance and repairs and to control utilities usage.
If you think you can contribute, contact Mark Van de Weyer on 020 7352 4362 or Mike Thomas on 07946 755 703.