On Saturday Frome RFC welcomed 3rd place Thornbury RFC to The Lane for the last league fixture of the season.

With the large home crowd, supported by the VP's and member's lunch Frome kicked off the game. With the full line chasing, Thornbury were not able to gather and knocked on, Frome quickly attacked but with a defending tackler not rolling, Frome were awarded a penalty and kicked to the corner for the lineout 5m out from the visitor's line.

The forward did well to take the ball closer to the opposition try line, but with the backline set, the ball went to Fly Half Simon Westlake, and with a planned move, saw Winger Bailey Rusz dart through at pace to cross over for the try with only 2mins gone. Full Back Henry Bull missing the conversion from wide. (5-0)

Thornbury continued to threaten whenever they had the ball in hand, moving the ball wide at every opportunity. A break out wide by the visitors was soon halted when the Winger was unable to keep hold of the ball and knocked on.

The home side struggled to make any meters from their 22 but were gifted a penalty and were able to clear their lines. 

Thornbury would soon have the ball back and a penalty would see them back in the Frome 22 with a lineout. And on 9mins, broke blind from the maul to cross over in the corner, the conversion being missed. (5-5)

Frome defence was tested immediately from the restart as Thornbury looked to go wide again, but some great cover tackling by Winger Sam Cassidy halted any chance of another score. Thornbury's Fly half spotted a gap in the backfield and a cross field kick was quickly gathered by Bull, who stepped the pursuing players and make safe into the midfield. 

but another penalty meant the visitors could use the wind to their advantage and pin the ball back into the corner, the following lineout was followed with a catch and drive with the forwards dotting down to score an unconverted try. (5-10)

Another knock on from the restart by Thornbury meant Frome had another opportunity to set a good attacking play as the home Pack continued to dominate the Scrums. A juggle and a break from Bull took him to 10m out, but some great Jackling from Thornbury saw the visitors kick downfield and set up camp in the Frome 22 for the next 10mins.

Winger Rusz left the field shortly after with Tom Weston coming on.

Alex Chalmers would find his man in the line out and the ball worked into the midfield, with a strong carry from Prop Geoff Taylor. but play was soon halted with Taylor needing to be patched up by the Sports Therapist.

Captain Alex Mallon would then make a barn storming run, before offloading, and Frome looked to threaten again. Another penalty in the opposition 22 meant Frome now had another opportunity to get some points on the board. 

Good interplay between Centre Eliki Bainmoli and Westlake saw Bull put a wide pass out to Weston who was brought down just short of the line. 

Following a string of penalties in the oppositions 22, it was Thornbury would next be on the attack, coming from deep in their own half, but Frome rallied in defence and were able to stop the break, but a clever cross field kick from the visiting Fly Half saw Thornbury regather and cross over for the score a converted try. (5-17)

the final minutes of the half would see both sides having opportunities to score, strong runs by Flankers Sam Bartlett, Josh Hills and Second Row Stevan Randall breaking multiple tackles.

A Thornbury lineout in the corner would see the ball moved wide again to the opposite wing with the visitors scoring a converted try and the half time whistle was blown. (5-24)

Thornbury kicked off the second half and Frome had the bit between their teeth with Centre Ali Frost making strong runs into the midfield, Scrum Half Garrie Webster then secured a 50/22 and got Frome onto the front foot with a lineout in the oppositions 22.

There were a string of changes in the backline with Rusz returning to the field for Bainimoli, and Taylor coming off for Jason Barraclough.

Pressure at the Thornbury lineout saw a perfectly placed kick from Second Row James Howard who put pressure on the covering Fullback who carried the ball over the line for a Frome Scrum. The following play saw Randall run from deep close to the line and crash over for Frome's second try. Bull adding the extras. (12-24)

A Frome lineout just inside the opposition's half gave a great platform with Chalmers finding Bartlett and the following drive took the pack deeper into the half, with Webster commanding at the back, the ball was released to Westlake who dummied, showed a great turn of pace and broke through to score. The conversion being added by Bull. (19-24)

Thornbury continued to threaten whenever they had ball in hand, but a moment of pressure was released following a penalty.

Frome were again on the attack and following a lineout broke into the Thornbury half, which saw Scrum Half Webster spot the gap to break through for a would be try, but the whistle had been blown and Frome's Hills and the opposition prop were both sent to the bin for 10mins.

Frome were dealt another blow shortly after when a seemingly innocent collision was adjudged to have been high, and Bartlett was sent to the Sin Bin much to the bewilderment of the side line.

Frome however fought back well and won the next scrum, gaining a penalty with a kick down field. Thornbury would attack again but a good turnover from Frost saw Bull kick the penalty deep into the oppositions 22.

The final 10mins of the game saw Frome and Thornbury exchange attacking plays, but with time running out Frome were unable to get back into the oppositions 22 and despite defending heroically on their own try line, a penalty kick to the corner saw Thornbury break a tackle to offload and score in the corner an unconverted try... and the final whistle was blown.

FT: Frome RFC 19 - 29 Thornbury RFC

Player of the Match was awarded to Centre, Ali Frost. 

With the League Season now over, Frome RFC now look forward to cup action, when they take part int he first round of the Papa Johns Community South Shield.

The Papa Johns Community Cup; South Shield will see also see the following fixtures;

Bridgwater & Albion RFC v Gordano RFC

Cheltenham RFC v Swindon RFC

Devizes RFC v Windsor RFC

Beaconsfield RFC V Grove RFC

Fullerians RFC v Ipswich RFC

Stowmarket RFC v Dartfordians RFC 

Chelmsford RFC - BYE

Photos by Mark Sangster