Frome RFC II 10 - 35 Warminster RFC 

Report by Andy Vince

Frome welcomed local rivals Warminster RFC 1st XV to The Lane on Saturday in round two of Counties 2 Tribute Dorset & Wilts Central, with Warminster wining their first game, Frome were looking for their first win of the 2023/24 season.

It was the visitors who started the brightest and put the home side under pressure, Warminster carried the ball well making big yards. But an unlucky penalty was awarded to the visitors and from the resulting line out Warminster crashed over despite the best efforts of the back row and centres. The kick was added. (0-7)

Warminster kept up the pressure with Frome only getting out of their half on a few occasions. The home side were finding it hard to gel and it showed with knock ons, or throws in at a line out not hitting the mark, slowing down their progress and frustrating any would be attacks. 

On 20 mins Warminster went wide to their winger, who finished well from just inside the Frome half. Kick was added. (0-14)

Then on 31 mins Frome lost debutant Rowan Walton to a yellow card, due to hands in the ruck. Warminster made Frome pay for being a man down and scored two quick tries.  One from the resulting penalty and then from the kick off they went wide and again were out paced, despite some desperate defence the extra man paid off and Warminster scored again. (0-28)

HT: Frome RFC 0 - 28 Warminster RFC 

The second half started well for the home side, with some big crashing runs by, Flanker Will Button and No.8 Cameron Hastie, with Cory Plumridge backing them up from Centre. 

On 46 mins Warminster were reduced to 14 following a high tackle from their number 12.

Frome took advantage of this with Hastie crashing through midfield, quick ball came out to Plumridge who found the gap and crashed over for the score. The conversion was missed. (5-28)

Frome carried on with some great attacks with Max Stickley running the game well at fly half. With another debutant Harry Stamp coming off his wing to join the line, But Warminster stood firm.

The home side managed to go wide only for Plumridge to be bundled into touch just short of the line. From the resulting line out, Flanker Button stole the ball in the line and dived over the line for the try. The kick was missed. (10-28)

Frome kept up the pressure but the potential come back never quite managed to materialise, and Warminster finished off the home side with the last play of the game, crashing over the line from close range. Kick was made. (10-35)

FT: Frome RFC II 10 - 35 Warminster RFC

Player of the Match was awarded to Fly Half Max Stickley, with special mentions to Flanker Will Button who was everywhere, and to No.8 Cameron Hastie who defies age and if anything looks younger. Debutants Harry Stamp, Rowan Walton and Kai Witcombe.

It was a spirited effort and everyone gave 100 percent, lots to work on at training this week as they build for Saturdays fixture away to Melksham RFC.

Photos by Nick Perry Photography