Somerset Cup. Chard RFC v Frome RFC Under 16s
By Matt Warnock
20th Nov 2023 | Local Sport
This Sunday, Frome RFC's U16's travelled to Chard for their Somerset Cup knock out fixture.
The game began with a bang for the away team. Captain Oscar Stickley collected a loose ball tipped on to Archie Pearn. Pearn wasted no time in testing the defence and weaved in and out of the on rushing team to score from his own half. Harry Greenwood added the extra's for a 0 - 7 lead.
After three minutes, Chard were again on the back foot. After conceding a penalty, Scrum-half Alfie Newbery took a quick tap and fed Toby Cassidy. The centre found space and swerved through for a second score. An early lead of 0 - 14.
Minutes later, Zach Sibley ran a brilliant line from his own half. He was narrowly tackled short of the line. Frome did not take their foot off the gas though, Pearn again terrorising the defence. Following dominant tackles in midfield by Stickley and Ewan Cox, Cassidy stole the ball. Newbery then found space and dummied before popping to Harrie Webster. Webster sprinted wide and scored well. It would not be his last try of the afternoon.
Aelfric Bidder and Cox were relentless at the ruck, before Stickley carried deep into the Chard half. Then Greenwood kicked sticks from the resulting penalty, as Frome's lead extended to 22 points.
With twenty minutes on the clock, another try came. Pearn travelled effortlessly down the wing, deep into the opponents half. The ball was recycled by Kieran Stacey, before Pearn was again on hand to kick forwards. The bounce favoured Frome and full-back Sibley gathered to score well for a 0 - 27 half-time score.
At the opening of the second half, Greenwood picked up from the scrum and fed Ben Freeman. Freeman playing at 13, glided in between defenders to open his account for the afternoon. The extras were successfully added. Chard attacked now and Stuart Carpenter and Cox needed to defend well, to keep them at bay. Following this defence, Pearn drifted a wide ball to Webster, who ran onto the wide ball and showed his pace for his second try!
From an attacking scrum, Newbery ran blind and drew the defence, Webster was again on hand to score his hat-tick try - again at ruthless speed.
Chard got the try that their effort and endeavour deserved, to take the score to 5 - 44. Frome responded well. Rufus Phelps turned the ball over. Adam Hancock and Cox carried well, before Bidder crashed over from close range.
The final try came minutes later. After a strong scrummage Laurie White passed to Freeman, on halfway. The centre turned the defence inside and out, scoring under the posts. Greenwood added the extras and the final score ended 5 - 56.
Players of the Match Awards went to Archie Pearn and Ben Freeman.
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