Barnes were beaten 41-19 at home by Shelford in a topsy-turvy match on Saturday.

A depleted home side were 17-points down with just 15 minutes on the clock following well worked tries by Steve Smith and match winning NZ fly-half Quintyn Austin, who converted both before kicking a penalty.

Coincidentally Richmond were in exactly the same position last week, leading Shelford.

It was another 15 minutes before Austin scored again with another penalty.

However the resolute green and golds came back forcefully with a great try from Paul Spencer converted by Paul Farmer and on the stroke of the half-time whistle, that not to be out done prop Matthew Clark managed a try in the corner.

Half-time saw Barnes trail 20-12.

19 minutes into the second-half ex-Shelford wing, Andrew Cox touched down with Farmer converting. 19 - 20.

With only three minutes of time on the clock Shelford made the first of three successive breaks, with a try by wing Paul Cuddon.

Then two more in two minutes from lock Will Anderson and scrum-half Alex Birkby. Austin had no trouble converting all three that left the Barnes lads wondering how the result could be 19 - 41.

It could be suggested that with the other five Barnes League teams winning tough League matches, injuries to key 1stXV players are proving decisive against well drilled teams.

However replacements acquitted themselves well and next Saturday's local derby at Richmond will be eagerly awaited.