Frome RFC welcomed Marlborough RFC to Gypsy Lane on Saturday in the much anticipated fixture, which saw the home side competing at level 6 in South West 1 (East) after nearly 20 years.

Due to the late arrival of the referee (due to a broken down vehicle) the fixture kicked off at the later time of 4pm.

The opening minutes saw an even exchange between the two sides, but a pause in play saw an early blood replacement with Inside Centre Mike Rutt leaving the field and Ali Frost coming on.

Frome saw some good phases of play with the backline & forwards linking well, but a turn over ball saw the visitors gain field position and Frome having to work hard to get back into the opposition half. Following multiple penalties the home side find themselves back to the halfway line, and following a high tackle by the Marlborough No.17 saw themselves with a man advantage.

Marlborough have established themselves well in South West 1, and this was evident as they continued to attack and threaten from all parts of the field.

A break down the left wing Frome look to put Bailey Rusz away but the final pass went missing. Following stages of play and possession by both sides it was the visitors who opened the scoring when their number 10 spotted a gap 20 metres out to break through and score a converted try under the posts.

There was an interchange shortly after when Robert James was replaced and saw JJ Gagiano come on to the field to make his debut for Frome.

Frome conceded a penalty with 5mins remaining of the half but visiting fly half out the ball wide of the posts. Marlborough continued to threaten the Frome 22, but the continued dominant scrum saw them through to the half time whistle.

Don't read too much from one game says coach

HT: Frome RFC 0 - 7 Marlborough RFC

Frome regrouped at half time and came out with renewed vigour and after a positive start with the forwards lead by Captain Alex Mallon carrying hard, the visitors were penalised in front the posts which Full Back, Darrell Thompson duly converted. (3-7)

The visitors increased their lead through an unconverted try out wide following multiple attacks on the Frome line, however the home side continued to work hard and after multiple phases close to the opposition line almost scored to reduce the deficit but a knock on just short the line the opportunity went missing.

Marlborough continued to threaten from all areas of the field and were able to gain some great territory. Some try saving tackles from Thompson and Jones kept the visitors out but with numbers wide and a long looping pass the Marlborough extend the lead to 3-19.

Frome we're able to get back into the opposition 22 after a string of penalties and scored a deserved consolation try following a lineout when Phil Clarke charged forward and after several phases of play Frost broke through a to score under the posts, Thompson adding the extras.

Unfortunately time ran out and Frome were unable to score again and look for the bonus point.

FT: Frome RFC 10 - 19 Marlborough RFC

Frome RFC Head Coach Toby Culff said: "We should be cautious about taking too much from one game - whether that's positive or negative - because the season is so long and there are so many unknowns. What this game seemed to demonstrate, though, is that we should feel confident about competing at this level.

"As we expected, the match was a tough, physical, fast one, and chances were few and far between for both teams. Probably the key lessons for us are that teams at this level will have the pace and cutting edge to take advantage of your mistakes, and that we must be ruthless about maximising our opportunities when they arise. We'll not get many chances - definitely not as many as were used to.

"That was very much the story of this encounter; Marlborough were more efficient in converting their opportunities than we were. As such, it was a game that we could have won, and it's therefore right that we're a bit disappointed, but to say that we should have won would be dishonest. Marlborough won the key moments and deserved their victory. But our players performed with enormous perseverance and commitment, as they always do, and they should take great heart from this first Level 6 challenge, despite the result. We'll learn from the experience and we'll come back stronger. That's the Frome way.

"Thank you to the many member and spectators who came to support us. It was a superb atmosphere and we were so grateful for the encouragement and positive feedback. Thank you, please keep coming!"

This Saturday sees Frome RFC hit the road as they travel to the unknown opposition of Oxford Harlequins RFC. The 2nd & 3rd XV take on Walcot RFC in a preseason warm up fixture.