Frome welcomed Avonvale back to The Lane for the season opener on Saturday. This was always going to be a tight affair with both sides very evenly matched.

Avonvale started well and showed they had some powerful runners in particular their number seven who caused Frome problems all game. Avonvale used their forwards to gain good field position and eventually getting into the Frome 22 before crashing over the line for the first try. The conversion being added.

Frome hit back with some phases of their own eventually getting a penalty which Fly Half, Darrell Thompson kicked to the corner. From the resulting line out Frome did a textbook catch and drive with Second Row Stuart Elliott coming away with the try. The conversion attempt going just wide.

Frome push hard and were awarded another penalty in front of the posts which Fly Half Thompson stepped up and put through the middle, giving Frome the narrow lead.

The home side then scored an almost carbon copy of the first try, this time it was Prop Will Witt powering over from short range.

Avonvale kept attacking and looked threatening when on the ball, with some great defence shown by Flankers Dumo Ndlovu and Josh Hills making some great tackles in midfield, but eventually the pressure told and Avonvale broke through to score under the posts. Conversation added to retake the lead.

Then just before half time Frome put some great phases together and worked towards the Avonvale posts, with Prop Dan Chaventre crashing over for the try. Thompson converted the extras, and Frome when into the break with the lead. 

HT: Frome RFC II 20 - 14 Avonvale RFC

Second half started well for Frome with another good catch and drive from the Forward pack to the corner with Hooker Jack Carter this time getting the try wide.

The Forward Pack and the Backline started to combine well and with the ball worked to the blind side, Scrum Half Garrie Webster found Inside Centre Matt Warnock who showed great hands to feed Carter, who cut inside his man and popped a pass to support runner Ed Darwent who dived over the line for the try.

Avonvale continued to threaten and they came back and hit Frome on the break and ran in a well supported try of their own, adding the extras to make it 30 - 21.

With the game nearly over, Frome were awarded another penalty which Fly Half Thompson added to put the game out of doubt 33 - 21.

FT: Frome RFC II 33 - 21 Avonvale RFC

Frome RFC 2^nd XV Manager, Andy Vince commented: "Great start to the season, always hard game against Avonvale, particularly as they have just dropped down into the league, some stand out performances but overall a great team effort."

Player of the Match was awarded to Scrum Half, Garrie Webster.