Report by Trevor Osborne

On Saturday Frome RFC travelled to North Dorset RFC, as 3rd place took on 4th place in near freezing conditions. And although the two sides had not played each other in some time, Geoff Taylor's Men knew to expect a hard battle at Slaughtergate.

The home side started strongly with their Forward Pack carrying hard, winning an early penalty which drifted just wide of the posts. 

Frome came into the game and a break down the blindside by Prop Jack Carter looked to build momentum, before he was brought down short of the line. North Dorset continued to dominate the close exchanges and won another penalty which was converted to give the home side an early lead.

A couple of penalties gave the Dorset side territory and they scored a try out wide as Frome ran out of defenders. 

North Dorset continued to press and increased their lead when from a Frome line out the loss ball was gathered by the Home sides Second Row who passed the ball inside for their Flanker to score a converted try and extend their lead to 15-0. 

Frome started to come into the game and just before half time No.8 Sam Bartlett intercepted a pass in midfield but was tackled just short of the line, a period of pressure on the home was rewarded when Bartlett came up again with the ball to dart over to score and leave the half time score at 15-5.

HT: North Dorset RFC 15 - 5 Frome RFC 

The second half started with Frome pinning North Dorset back in their own half through some asture kicks from Scrum Half Zac Bartlett and hard running by the Back Three of Henry Bull, Sam Cassidy and Player of the Match, Harry Stamp. 

Hard carrying by the Forwards then created an opportunity for a cross field kick which was collected by Cassidy, who ran in for a try converted by Bull. Despite the forwards dominating the close exchanges and pinning North Dorset in their own half Frome could not get the decisive score in the closing minutes.

FT: North Dorset RFC 15 - 12 Frome RFC 

The I.M.S. Limited Player of the Match went to Winger Harry Stamp.

Frome now look forward to welcoming Swanage and Wareham RFC to The Lane on Saturday in front of a large crowd as they will be hosting the Annual Players Reunion.

And follow the weekend's results Frome remain in 4th spot in Counties 1 Southern South, and look to seek revenge following the loss earlier in the season to 2nd place Swanage & Wareham.