Frome RFC 29 - 26 Winscombe RFC 

Report by Matt Warnock

Frome RFC welcomed Winscombe RFC to The Lane on Saturday, a must win for the home side, still searching for their first win of the season, and having not played each for over 15yrs it was set to be an exciting fixture.

Alex Mallon's Men kicked off and the Frome side looked to take it to the visitors in the opening minutes. The fast paced start worked well for the home side who found themselves deep into the oppositions half, and with quick plays of the ball, the first points of the day came when Fly Half, Simon Westlake attacked the shortside, and Winger Cory Plumridge offering a perfect line, received the offload and crashed through the defence at speed to score. Centre Don Jones adding the extras to take Frome to a 7-0 lead 3mins in.

The visitors looked to threaten but some stern  defence kept them at bay, however it wasn't long until Winscombe were on the score when they broke through to score a converted try themselves. (7-7)

Frome looked to threaten from all over the park, with Scrum Half, John Benstead orchestrating the pack, Frome built another great platform, and on 16mins, Westlake drew the defence down the left side, before dropping perfectly timed kick through for Centre Jones to collect and dive over for the score. Jones added the extras.

20mins in Winscombe we're rewarded with a penalty which the slotted. (14-10)

On the half hour mark, Frome gained a penalty infront of the sticks that Jones duly converted.

A few minutes later, it was Winscombe turn for a shot at the uprights when they spotted a penalty. (17-13)

A yellow card on 34mins for Winscombe gave the homeside some dominance and looked to take control of the game with Hooker Alex Chalmers making some great tackles and ball steals. 

On 35mins Frome had a scrum 10m out from the visitors try line, a dominating performance from the front row of George Benstead, Chalmers and Geoff Taylor saw the pack move forward, with Captain Alex Mallon at No.8 controlling the ball, he picked up the ball to drop down over the line for the score. The conversion was missed.

HT: Frome RFC 22 - 13 Winscombe RFC

It was the visitors who got off to a flyer in the opening minutes of the 2nd half, and on 45mins Winscombe a scored again. (22-18)

The next 20mins saw a tight contest between the two sides, and highlights saw Winger Henry Bull making some fantastic runs with ball in hand, Second Row James Howard leaping high above the opposition to gather a well placed kick.

However, it was on 68mins, when a knock on from the opposition was fly hacked through by Scrum Half Benstead, and the referee calling advantage over, Winscombe moved the ball wide to dot down for a try in the corner, much to the disappointment of the home crowd and sideline. (22-23)

On 71mins, an infringement at the breakdown saw Winscombe have another shot at goal with a Penalty they spotted with ease. (22-26)

Shortly after, another penalty to Frome saw Winscombe receive a yellow card.

Full Back, Bailey Rusz worked well covering the backfield, and an almost certain try for the visitors was dealt with perfectly when he covered across to tackle to stop the would be try.

On 77mins, and with time running out, a penalty saw Frome regain some much needed territory and set up for the perfect platform to attack from within the Winscombe 22. A well worked lineout, and superb forward play saw Captain Alex Mallon come close, but a great pick and drive saw Flanker Sam Bartlett thirst himself through the defence to score. Jones stepping up to add the extras and retake the lead. (29-26)

With time up on the clock, there was some last minute drama, when a kick off field would finish the game was tapped back in field by Winscombe, they regained possession and looked to go wide, but after multiple phases Frome's defence held firm and steel at the breakdown saw Flanker Bartlett kick the ball off field for the final whistle to be blown. 

FT: Frome RFC 29 - 26 Winscombe RFC 

Player of the Match went to Scrum Half John Benstead. 

On the 22nd, the 1st XV hit the road when they travel to 3rd place Thornbury RFC.