Report by Matt Warnock

Frome RFC welcomed Buckinghamshire side, Beaconsfield RFC to The Lane on Saturday in the Quarter Finals of the National Papa Johns Community Cup - South Shield.

The large home crowd was joined by plenty of travelling supporters as the side ran out, and with a guard of honour made up of Frome RFC Minis players, Frome kicked off up the slope.

The opening minutes saw Frome in control, and as the side began to gain territory a kick through was blocked and the visitors gathered and moved the ball wide with the Winger finding space, crossed over the line to score. (0-7)

Beaconsfield had an opportunity to extend their lead with a penalty but the kick went wide of the posts.

Strong carries from the Forward meant Scrum Half Garrie Webster and Fly Half Simon Westlake could get the ball moving, and the opportunity came on 15mins for Full Back Henry Bull to break through before offloading to Flanker Sam Bartlett who darted over for a converted try. (7-7)

Some thundering tackles were being made across the park with Dan Castle, Cory Plumridge and Alex Chalmers making notable tackles. And with James Howard and Webster snipes at the breakdown, Frome built plenty of territory. 

Phil Clarke, Geoff Taylor and Jason Barraclough all playing superbly across the park with plenty of strong runs. 

Bull was involved again in Frome's second try, when after a barn storming run by Centre Ali Frost, a and great line by the Full Back put Winger Bailey Rusz in for Frome second try. Bull added the extras. (14-7)

The visitors Scrum Half controlled the attack well, with some well placed kicks pinning Frome back, and we're soon back in the Frome 22, and with Frome defending valiantly, but in 30mins the Buckinghamshire side eventually found space and crossed over near the posts, the conversion was missed. (14-12)

HT: Frome RFC 14 - 12 Beaconsfield RFC

The visitors came out fighting in the second half and soon got themselves into a great attacking opportunity and soon found themselves retaking the lead with a converted try. (14-19)

10mins into the second Beaconsfield had a lineout close to their line, but superb pressure from the forward pack saw Frome steal the ball with Josh Hills setting up the the ball towards the line, with replacement Prop George Benstead breaking through to do down for a unconverted try. (19-19)

Frome would have a player sent to the bin for 10mins with Beaconsfield opting for the kick at goal, which was duly converted. (19-22)

With a player down, the visitors stepped up gear, and despite some great covering tackles from Winger Sam Cassidy Beaconsfield looked to have scored, and with the subsequent goal line drop out falling straight to the hands of the opposition 9, he calmly dropped kicked from just inside the Frome half to score an extra 3pts. (19-25)

Webster would leave the field due to injury and the backline reshuffled with Westlake stepping into Scrum Half, with Ali Frost moving to 10. The changes saw replacement Tom Weston take to the field.

With time running out Frome were eager to push on, and a great break by Rusz, saw the Winger break down the line and looked to be in for the try, but a great cover tackle but the opposition Full Back stopped short.

Beaconsfield had their tales up and after building good territory got into the Frome 22 and a break through the middle saw the score a converted try under the posts. (19-32)

Frome were caught napping again and another score came from the visitors and the game seemed out of reach with the clock counting down. (19-39)

With the final minutes on the clock, it was a somewhat fairy tale ending to No. 8 Alex Mallon's Captaincy as a dominant Frome Scrum saw the pack push the opposition over their line for the No.8 to dive over for the try, and with a loud applause from the Frome Faitful, Mallon stepped up to take the conversion.. unable to channel his inner Johnny Sexton, the kick fell just short. (24-39)

And with that, the final whistle was blown. 

FT: Frome RFC 24 - 39 Beaconsfield RFC

Player of the Match was awarded to Full Back Henry Bull for another stellar performance in both attack and defence.

The result sees an end to the 2022/23 season for the seniors, and a much deserved rest before preseason kicks off in June.