Craig Ratford had mixed feelings after the defeat at Redrurth last weekend.

Barking skipper Craig Ratford was happy to be back in action after seven weeks out with a shoulder injury.

Barking skipper Craig Ratford believed his side should be encouraged by their display in Cornwall, but also disappointed with the 46-17 defeat.

The scoreline may suggest another thumping for the basement boys but Barking put up a good fight for the first 50 minutes.

“We can be encouraged by that performance but also disappointed because we had them on the rails,” said captain Ratford.

“But for me personally in the final 20-30 minutes a few decisions were dubious and our set-piece play wasn’t up to scratch. They took their chances as well to be fair.

“We said at half time we needed to leave everything out on the pitch but unfortunately it didn’t go to plan. I wouldn’t say they underestimated us.”

Ratford came through a half hour run-out against Rochford Hundred last Wednesday’s Essex Cup quarter-final, which Barking won 24-0 and he admitted he was just pleased to be back on the pitch again.

“I felt a bit rusty after Wednesday and I was blowing a but after the half hour,” he added.

“But it was good to be back. It’s been seven weeks and it has been frustrating and felt like it’s been even longer. There is nothing like playing rugby for me. I am not the greatest watcher from the terraces.”

Barking make the trip to third-placed Henley Hawks on Saturday and Ratford has asked for more of the same from Nick Warren’s side.

He said: “We’ll look to have a go again like we did at Redruth. We definitely had them rattled at the weekend. We’ll go for it again and aim to leave everything on the pitch.

“If we can get on top in the opening 20 minutes then that will give us the opportunity to go for it.”