The Frome RFC 3rd XV were back in league action on Saturday when they welcomed St Bernadettes Old Boys RFC 2nd XV to The Lane. And despite the wind and rain there was an ever present vocal support from the sideline .

The opening minutes were a nervy affair with both sides testing out the oppositions defence, but some good covering tackles from Max and Jack Stickley would halt any would be attacks.

The Frome Forwards, led by Skipper Ali Fisher worked well to gain territory with No.8 Hugh Haines and Prop Will Witt getting over the gain line, allowing the backline to move the ball around.

On 22mins the visitors lost a player to bin after receiving a Yellow card.

Unfortunately the good field position and possession couldn't be turned to points as the rain and wind continued to hamper play.

Forwards Scott Woodward and James Orman did well to keep the visitors pinned with some superb defensive work, and on 30mins the visitors received their second yellow of the afternoon with the No.8 taking a break in the bin.

The visitors didn't let up, and were showing some good attacking display, but lost and third player to the bin on 32mins to slow their progress.

With Frome now up 2 players it wasn't long until the space was found, and after a break blind, and a following rolling maul, Hooker Matt Jones dived over to score. Jack Stickley's conversion attempt going just wide. (5-0)

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Frome seemed to be napping in the opening seconds of the restart, as the visitors broke through the unorganised defence to score wide, the conversion missed (5-5).

HT: Frome RFC III 5 - 5 St Bernadettes RFC II

Frome kicked on well in the opening minutes of the second half, and despite the weather weren't afraid to move the ball wide.

The visitors were penalised and Jack Stickley was able to slot the penalty (8-5).

With the tiring visitors Fly Half Jack Stickley spotted the space behind the defensive line to drop a well placed kick for brother Max Stickley, who collected the bounce perfectly on the half way line to sprint away from any would be tackler to dive over to score. The conversion missed. (13-5)

The Forward pack began to dominate, with Alex Twigger and Gordon Grierson making metres. The next score came with Prop Witt driving over to score. The conversion missed. (18-5)

St Bernadettes' backline continued to test the Frome defence and soon found space breaking there way into the home side half, some missed tackles looked like a certain try, but a covering tackle from Centre James Gallop, saw a superb and ninja esq ball steel and the attack was halted with Gallop making his way out of the Frome 22.

Frome we're dealt a blow when Jones was shown a yellow, but another deep kick into the visitors 22 saw the ball dotted down for the drop out, but the kick didn't go to plan falling short and a race to the loose ball saw Gallop tackle off the ball for a certain try. The quick penalty tap saw Scrum Half Bryan Loftus dice over from close range, Jack Stickley converting. (25-5)

The visitors would have the last day on the scoreboard when following multiple Penalties, gained there way back in the Frome 22, and following a Scrum a few metres out, the broke through to score an in overhead try. (25-10)

FT: Frome RFC III 25-10 St Bernadettes RFC II 

Player of the Match was awarded to Max Stickley. 

This weekend the 5th place Frome RFC 3rd XV are back in league action when they welcome 8th place Chew Valley RFC 3rd XV to The Lane.