The sun was shining brightly for the large home crowd on Saturday as Frome RFC welcomed Keynsham RFC to The Lane.

The home side couldn't have started better, and 5mins in, after a Keynsham kick, a great running return from Full Back, Finn McNulty who carved through the opposition defence and gain superb ground before being halted. After multiple phases it looked as if Captain Alex Mallon would score, only to be stopped just short.

The home momentum continued, and shortly after Frome won a Scrum 5m out from the visitors line, the Pack set a great platform that saw the ball move through the backline and Centre Dom Jones offloaded to Winger Henry Bull, who offloaded out of the tackle to Centre Cory Plumridge who powered his way over to score under the posts. Jones adding the conversion. (7-0)

Keynsham continually looked threatening with ball in hand, but a loose play saw Winger Ed Darwent make a good break, only to caught and then penalised for holding on. 

The visitors built some good territory and with a lineout inside Fromes 22 looked to set a good attack. The Frome lineout however was working well, seeing Matt Smith beat his opposite man to the ball and steal the lineout. The ball was fed back to Fly Half Simon Westlake who cleared his lines with a kick.

A penalty for being offside would give Keynsham their first chance at points, which the Fly Half duly converted with ease. (7-3)

The hard attacking lines from the visitors were being controlled well by Centres Plumridge and Jones, and Frome were able to once again steal the ball in defence and clear their lines. 

On 26mins, another penalty saw Keynsham on  kick to the corner with a lineout 5m out. And following some hard fought phases, the whistle was blown bringing a stoppage to play and both Keynshams Prop and Frome's Connor McPherson would receive a red card. 

Shortly after Keynsham's attack led to a score just wide of the posts, the kick was added. (7-10)

A great tackle from the restart by Hooker Alex Chalmers led to an almighty cheer from the home crowd, putting pressure on the visitors to have to clear their lines early.

Frome would have to make changes early as Harry Bridle would had to leave the field due to injury, bringing on the experience of former Club Captain, Will Button

On 35mins Keynsham secured a lineout 5m out, and after a barrage of cowards play close to the line, scored in the corner. The kick going wide. (7-15)

Just before half time Frome would win a penalty and kick to the 5m line, with Smith towering above the lineout, a good set of play would see Plumridge hit up the middle before going wide to McNulty who darted through before offloading to Mallon. 

A penalty was awarded for not realising, and quick thinking from Scrum Half John Benstead saw him snipe through the space, but was brought back.

Jones opted for posts and easily slotted the 3pts. (10-15)

Half Time: Frome RFC 10-15 Keynsham RFC 

With the kick off not being gathered, a Frome lineout, just inside the 22 was collected wel and driven on by the home pack, a kick by Westlake would see the ball move downfield.

Keynsham returned the ball well, but some good tackling from Joe Cagilaba in the midfield would halt any attack. The visiting Fly Half then dropped a well weighted kick to the corner but the ball didn't find its man and Frome would have a line out 5m out. The ball was well taken and Frome opted to attack from deep, moving the ball through the hands wide and Plumridge would put the kick in downfield.

Unfortunately a stop in play saw injured Scrum Half Benstead leave the field and replaced by another former Club Captain, Garrie Webster.

Winger Darwent would put in another try saving tackle in the corner. A Keynsham scrum would look to set another good attacking platform but a forward pass soon put a stop to any momentum.

With a kick going up high, McNulty put pressure on the receiver and put in a top tackle which saw Frome win a penalty. Frome's line out worked well, with the forwards giving the backline another great platform to work from.

Another Frome scrum sees the attack go blind, with Mallon offloading to Webster, who carries in well through the contact. The ball was picked by Button who carries well before the ball moves through the backline, With Plumridge breaking away, only to be pushed out into touch. 

Keynsham clearance kick and McNulty gathers, and despite a high tackle is able to offload, but the ball is fumbled and Keynsham get the scrum. 

Frome would win back possession shortly after and win a penalty, Winger Bull goes quickly and gets the extra 10m, a penalty kick to touch look to gain great territory but Frome would lose the lineout. 

Frome worked well in defence and force Keynsham wide and the pressure would see them knock on.

Cagilaba made another great tackle in midfield and is able to return to his feet and win the ball. McNulty makes break wide but is halted, Frome play the advantage but the ball is called back for the penalty. 

Another superb tackle by Bull out wide getting the player into touch. Frome secure the lineout and feed to the backline, a clever chip over the top by Jones see him tackle the catcher and a play in the floor sees Frome win a penalty and kick to the corner.

The last ten minutes were a tight battle with both sides taking turns to attack. Frome gained the upper hand, and with the clock running down, saw a dominant scrum from the home side pushing the visitors backwards on their own ball, a reset however meant Frome had another go, but plans were scuppered when the replacement Keynsham front row going down injured meant the scrums would now be uncontested.

The dying minutes were tense with Frome opportunities falling just short, a knock close to the Keynsham line would end play and the the visitors took the win. 

Full Time: Frome RFC 10 - 15 Keynsham RFC 

Player of the Match was awarded to Joe Cagilaba for having a fantastic game, a special mention goes to Winger Ed Darwent for another great display.

This Saturday sees Frome hit the road as they take on top place Matson RFC. 

The brand new Frome RFC 1st XV rugby kit was revealed against Keynsham as I.M.S Limited continue as Club Principal Sponsor. 

I.M.S Limited has featured on the senior players jerseys for many seasons now, and last season became the clubs Principal Sponsor.

We also are pleased to announce that Rodden Road Cars, Netitude Ltd, The Old Bath Arms, Ingenious Performance, Mindset Training, Forest Marble Estate Agents and Renteq T.M South West Ltd all continue to support the club, which sees their logos feature on the jersey.

The club continues to display the We Hear You charity logo, as we pledge our continued support to the fantastic work they do.

And for those budding historians out there, you may have noticed the 1883 that features on the front of the jersey, this was the year the club was founded.