Frome RFC were in action this weekend (Saturday 1st October) when they welcomed Gloucestershire side Newent RFC.

The game kicked off in the October Sun, and with a large home crowd, the game started well with some good exchanges. It was the Vistiors who were on the scoreboard first, following a penalty on 7mins It was successfully slotted (0-3)

Frome came back well, and a few minutes later were pressing the Newent line, Second Row, James Howard spotted a gap and broke through but was held up 5m out. 

A scrum shortly after saw Newent able to clear their lines. The Frome lineout was working well, setting a platform for the backline which saw the home side go near again when Centre Dominic Jones took the ball to the line offloading to Winger Henry Bull who was stopped short of the line by some great defence by Newent. 

Newent continued to threaten when ever they had ball in hand, but Frome were able to withstand the attacks and on 13mins a lineout 5m out saw Captain Alex Mallon take the ball well and drive forward, Flanker Bailey Brook made a great break but was held up over the line. 

The visitors had a large spell with the ball and on 23mins worked themselves well down field to set a good position, a pass out wide saw Frome caught short and Newent cross the line. The conversion was missed. (0-8)

On 30mins, a break in play saw the referee give Newent's Centre receive a yellow card. 

A Frome lineout saw the Forwards build another great play, with the catch and drive they pushed forward through the defensive line seeing Flanker Sam Bartlett bundle over to score, the conversion was missed. (5-8)

The kick off was collected by the Newent Winger who went close to scoring with a great run, a Frome penalty shortly after saw Centre Alistair Frost clear the ball to half way, a string of penalties sees the visitors move back down field, the line out close the try line sees a well set lineout and drive, Newent crashing over the line in the corner, the conversion missed. (5-13) 

A kick down field was returned with pace by replacement Stevan Randall who collected the ball well making some great yards. the ball was moved well to the backline and Full Back Bailey Rusz made a darting break weaving through the defence. 

Another Penalty a few moments later saw Newent regain territory and back into the Frome 22, on 45mins they were able to build the pressure and go over under the posts for another score, with the kick being added the half time whistle was blown.

HT: Frome RFC 5 - 20 Newent RFC

The second half kicked off and the visitors were first on the board with a penalty just inside half, fortunately for Frome the kick at posts missed. 

10mins into the second half and a string of penalties sees Newent build another good platform as they work there way into the Frome 22, with the visitors gaining a lineout, the defensive pressure from Frome did well and secured a penalty to clear their lines. 

Frome were able to build some possession and a break from Prop Geoff Taylor saw the forward make his way downfield. A pass to fellow forward Sam Bartlett saw the Flanker chip through but the ball was collected by Newent and the ball was cleared.

A head injury to Scrum Half Harry Burge sees a change in the backline with Eliki Bainimoli making his 1st XV debut.

With both sides fighting for every inch, tension was high, and on 60mins yellow cards were issued by the referee to a Newent forward and Frome's Matt King.

Frome started to build some momentum and a strong carry by Alistair Frost saw him break multiple tackles, but the referee would go to his pocket again following a high tackle on the Centre. 

With the game going into the final 15mins Newent we're awarded a Penalty which was kicked. (5-23)

The home side were beginning to put phases together well and with the backline opening up play, a wayward pass was collected by the Newent winger who ran in from his own half to score under the posts. The conversion being added.

Frome didn't let up, and a great take in the air by Henry Bull helped build the next set of phases, winning a penalty kicking deep into Newent's half, sees a well drilled lineout and the forwards carried superbly with Hooker Alex Chalmers breaking free and diving across the line to score, the conversion being added. (12-30)

Newent continued to threaten but a last ditch tackle from Replacement Stevan Randell stopped a would be try.

Flanker Sam Bartlett made a good break shortly after and gained a penalty, a kick 5m out meant Frome had another opportunity to score.

The ball found its way to Bailey Brook who smashed his way through the defensive line m, but was deemed to have been held up over line, but play gets called back for a Frome Penalty. 

Frome's lineout was working brilliantly and on 75mins the caught annd drove towards the line and Sam Bartlett broke through to score, the conversion was missed. (17-30)

With momentum starting to go Frome's way, a well placed kick from Simon Westlake sees a Frome player deliberate blocked and the home side gain a penalty and kick deep into Newent's 22. 

Frome's forwards secured the lineout, setting a great platform for the backs, and a play straight from the training field sees Eliki Bainimoli break through the defensive line, before moving the ball wide.

With the clock ticking down, Frome built the pressure and it wasn't long h til the visitors line folded, this time it was Captain, Alex Mallon crashing through to score under the posts, Dominic Jones adding the extras. (24-30)

With the final moments being played on the Newent 5m line, Frome looked like the had a chance to take the game, and on 80 mins the ball was worked wide to Winger Cory Plumridge, with lots of work to do he found himself just short of the line, and was tackled into touch, and the referee blew the final whistle.

FT: Frome RFC 24 - 30 Newent RFC 

The Player of the Match award went to both Flanker Sam Bartlett and Centre Alistair Frost.

This weekend sees a break in league fixtures for all our senior side, with Frome RFC being back in league action on Saturday 15th when they welcome Winscombe RFC to The Lane. 

Frome RFC Head Coach, Dominic Jones commented: " The result wasn't what we wanted, but the second half performance was encouraging. We found our Intensity and our rhythm. In the first half we found it hard to get into the game and this resulted in us conceding penalties and points against a well drilled side. The boys identified the issues at half time, and as we kept hold of the ball our confidence grew and three second half tries saw us pick up two hugely important bonus points. We now move our focus towards Winscombe in two weeks time".