Report by Trevor Osborne

Frome RFC welcomed table topping North Dorset to the Lane on Saturday, a win for the visitors would see them secure the league title, and having lost a close encounter away earlier in the season Frome were looking spoil any early celebrations.

The game started with both sides struggling to establish dominance as defences were on top. 

The visitors gradually established dominance as they used the wind and slope to their advantage. The first score came after a number of penalties and the referee awarding a yellow card to Captain Geoff Taylor. North Dorset converted the resulting penalty. 

Frome hit stray back with the Forwards carrying hard and an indiscretion at the breakdown gave Full Back, Henry Bull the opportunity to convert a penalty in front of the posts. 

The visitors then started to dominate exchanges and despite some staunch defence a break by the elusive visiting Fullback created the opportunity for their Centre to score a converted try. 

North Dorset extended their lead further after a line out. the No.8 broke off the back of a scrum to crash over for an unconverted try. 

Frome finished the first half strongly and after a break from the base of a ruck by Scrum Half, Zach Bartlett the visitors gave away a penalty which Henry Bull converted to leave the half time score 6-15. 

HT: Frome RFC 6 - 15 North Dorset RFC

The second half started in dramatic fashion, Frome kicked off and the visiting Fly Half kicked the ball up the middle of the pitch to Henry Bull who set off at pace and after beating the initial defence drew the last defender to put Zach Bartlett in under the posts for a try converted by Bull. 

The majority of the second half was dominated by defences as both sides pressed for another score. The visitors increased their lead with 2 mins left on the clock with a penalty in front of the posts. 

From the kick off the impressive visiting Full Back knocked on and from the resulting scrum Frome built up pressure on the visitors line with Alex Mallon ,Steve Randall and Sam Cassidy all going close. 

With the clock in the red, Second Row James Howard crashed over to bring the scores level and Bull converted to give Frome the win against a good North Dorset.

FT: Frome RFC 20 - 18 North Dorset RFC 

It was down to the wire, photo Mark Sangster

The Player of the Match Award went to Scrum Half, Zach Bartlett and Second Row James Howard.

Coach, JJ Gagiano commented "We lacked the intensity and energy in the first half against a top quality side who deserve to be top of the table.

"The boys showed incredible fight to stay in the game playing up the hill and a stiff breeze and chipped away going into the break 15-6 down.

"In the second half the team up'd the intensity and energy and got reward and finally putting some phases together. The lads heads could have easily gone going 18-13 down with about 2 minutes to go, but stuck at and never gave up the fight and scored a try last play of the game to win and then coolly slotted the conversion to win. A hard fought and enjoyable game against the league leaders."

Captain Geoff Taylor commented "As Captain to see the team pull together in the second half after a below par first 40 minutes and perform to the standards we did was amazing. Each man stood up to the challenge ahead of us and never stopped trying, true showing of how far we have come as a team this season".

The win confirms Frome in fourth place in the final league standings, with a visit to Sherborne to come on the last day of the season on April 6th.

Pictures by Mark Sangster