Report by Trevor Osborne

Frome RFC welcomed Royal Wootton Bassett RFC II to The Lane looking to continue their winning run in 2024. 

Frome started strongly with forwards and backs all carrying hard into the opposition half. 

After a number of phases the ball was worked out to Simon Finch who danced past several defenders to score the first try of the afternoon. 

The visitors struck back immediately and scored a well worked try to bring the scores level. Royal Wootton Bassett were on Fromes line pressing for a score when No.8 Alex Mallon stole the ball from a ruck and found Fullback Henry Bull on the touch line, he then burst past a number of defenders to score a superb individual try from 90 plus metres. 

The home side were now in the ascendancy with debutant scrum half Billy James controlling play and from an attack close to the line the visitors were adjudged to have prevented a score illegally and a penalty try was awarded. 

Frome continued to press and after some hard carries by forwards James Howard and skipper Geoff Taylor, a ruck was set up close to the line and Simon Finch scored the bonus point try converted by Bull. 

A penalty from Bull increased Frome's lead.

Royal Wootton Bassett kicked off and Stevan Randall rose above the oncoming defenders to pluck the ball out of the air and set off on a 50 metre run he then found support from Sam Cassidy who released John Benstead to score. 

The visitors then came back into the game and from a penalty the back rower crashed over for a converted try to leave the half time score 32-12. 

The visitors started the second half strongly but staunch defence from the home side lead by great tackling from Cory Plumridge and Sam Bartlett kept the visitors at bay until a well worked line out saw the visiting hooker score in the corner. 

The visitors continued to press and gained further reward with their fourth try In the closing minutes.

Frome thought they had scored in the corner through Cory Plumridge but the referee ruled the score out, however Frome got the final score when Stevan Randall gathered the ball from a line out and burst through to score and leave the final score 37-22.

FT: Frome RFC 37 - 22 Royal Wootton Bassett RFC II

The Player of the Match went to Scrum Half Billy James, Forward Stevan Randall and Full Back Henry Bull.

This coming weekend sees Frome travel across the border to face Corsham RFC.

Photos by Mark Sangster