Report by Matt Warnock

With victory over Midsomer Norton RFC in the 1/4 Finals back in March, Frome RFC travelled to South West 1 West side Keynsham RFC on Friday Night (29 Aril) for the Semi Final of the Bath Combination Cup.

With a chance to make the Cup Final and play at Bath Rugby's Rec, the Club saw huge support for the men in red, white & black make the journey. 

Frome got off to a fantastic start, matching the experience of the home side. The visitors soon gained some valuable territory following a penalty, and from the the resultant lineout looked to set up a good attacking position.

A lineout move straight from the training field saw Hooker John Benstead, break away down the line to dive over for the first points of the day. James Howard followed with a great conversion kick from wide.

With phases building well, Frome were dealt a harsh blow when Inside Centre Mike Rutt had to leave the field with a serious shoulder injury, which would mean he wouldn't return for the remainder of the game.

A reshuffle in the backline saw replacements Ed Darwent make his way onto the field along with Forward Matt King.

On 20mins Keynsham broke through the defensive line with pace, to dot over for their first score, the Fly Half adding the extras.

A penalty at the breakdown in front of the posts saw Keynsham's Fly Half adding the extra 3 points.

Frome would suffer at the breakdown again and would see a yellow card awarded to Simon Westlake on 28mins.

There were more points to be scored before the half time break, and it was the visitors who built on momentum scoring two converted try's just before the whistle.

But Frome continued to work well, with Forwards carrying hard and the backline moving the ball well. Pressure on the Keynsham line would eventually fold, and Centre Dav Jones, would crash over for the score. Howard adding the extras.

HT: Keynsham RFC 24 - 14 Frome RFC 

The second half didn't start as planned for Frome, and within 1min of kick off the home side were awarded a penalty, which the Fly Half duly slotted.

Frome were working the phases well and were camped in the opposition half for a large part of the second half, but infringements at the breakdown would see Keynsham relieve pressure, and would soon be on the encounter attack, and scored a converted try on 50mins.

Strong carries from Prop Elliott Bowler and Captain Alex Mallon helped the side build a great platform, with Winger Henry Bull & Full Back Bailey Rusz showing some excellent darting runs of there own Frome we're soon back in the Keynsham 22.

With Keynsham being given a yellow card, pressure mounted and replacement Second Row Simon Travers would break through to score on 60mins, the conversion going just wide.

The visitors continued to battle, but Keynsham were able to turnover quick ball and were soon crossing over for another converted try.

The final minutes of the game were played in the midfield with Frome desperate to bring the score line closer, but we're unable to convert possession into points, and the final whistle was blown.

FT: Keynsham RFC 42 - 19 Frome RFC

Congratulations to Keynsham, we wish you all the best in the Cup Final at The Rec.

The result meant that this would be the last game in charge for Frome RFC Head Coach Toby Culff, and Unit Coach/Player Elliott Bowler along with Director of Rugby, Cameron Hastie.

There were emotional scenes on the field following the game, and the Club would like to take the opportunity to express their sincere thanks for all the hard work they have put over the past few years. Gaining promotion for our 1st XV to level 6, and staying up, which has never been achieved.

1st XV Captain, Alex Mallon commented "Were extremely frustrated that we weren't able to cap off the season with a Cup Final at the Rec, it certainly would have been great send off for the backroom staff who are stepping down. However, despite the loss I think we can be really proud of our achievements this season, we've had a tough season at level 6 with a mix of results, but we've stayed up, and that's something the club hasn't achieved before, so we are really pleased with that. 

Across the seniors teams we've had some huge success with the 2nd XV gaining promotion and our 3rd XV fulfilling all their fixtures this season. 

I must quickly say a huge thank you to the Coaching and Backroom Staff, Head Coach Toby Culff, Unit Coaches Elliott Bowler and Dominic Jones, Manager Trevor Osborne, Sports Therapist Alex Joiner and DoR Cameron Hastie - without all yours, and many others, hard work behind the scenes none of this would have been achievable."

The Senior Awards Dinner is this coming Friday, and will be following up with a roundup of the season and awards winners over the next week.