Report by Matt Warnock

Frome RFC returned to The Lane this weekend as they welcomed Bath based side Combe Down RFC.

It was Scrum Half Zach Bartlett that kicked off proceedings in front of the large home crowd. A clearance kick was regathered and Frome kicked through, unfortunately a knock on would lead to Scrum for the visitors five meters out.

A dominate tackle by Centre Ali Frost halted any would be attack and Combe Down kicked to clear once again.

Four minutes in Frome were penalised on multiple occasions giving up easy ground, Combe Down, now in the Frome 22 battered the line but Frome's defence held firm, but another penalty for not releasing, the visitors quickly moved the ball wide for the winger to score in the corner. The conversion missed

Frome's restart couldn't have gone any better, with the would recover knocking on, Frome had a Scrum on good field position, but were awarded a penalty and Winger Henry Bull kicked to the corner.

The position gave a good phases of play with Forwards Stevan Randall and John Benstead challenging the line.

A lost ball meant Combe Down were able to relive pressure for a short period, until Bull regathered the kick and broke away, with supporting Winger Simon Finch kicked through but was unable to regather the bounce.

The visitors would concede another penalty shortly after, with Second Row Daniel Castle winning the lineout. The following phase saw a cheer from the crowd when No.8 Alex Mallon crashed over, but the referee judge it had been held up. Frome went back for a penalty and Centre Frost crashed over from close range to score.

Frome had their tails up and following another Henry Bull Penalty kick to corner, saw the Forwards and Backline link well with Fly Half Simon Westlake pulling the strings, a break through the defensive line saw Captain, Geoff Taylor power his way over, Bull adding the extras.

The next points of the day would again come from Frome when a Scrum in the centre of the field would see Full Back Darrell Thompson break down the blindside and passes to Bull, the breakdown saw a lovely dummy from Westlake who kicks through but ball is gathered by the covering Full Back, but a solid follow up sees Taylor win a turn over.

Frome looked to love quickly and caught the visitors napping as Penalty Frost passed the ball wide to Finch who scored in corner, Bull adding the extras.

The break saw a change as Thompson left the field and Sam Cassidy coming on into the Centres. 

A kick through that was collected by Combe Down saw Sam Bartlett adding the immediate pressure and winning a penalty. The following lineout saw a well planned moved and Prop Daniel Chaventre crashing over to score, Bull adding the conversion.

The restart saw a great take by Flanker Josh Hills who broke clear down the wing from his own 22, a soft pass to Weston who returns the pass back sees Hills tackled just short of the line and knocks on.

With the visitors Scrum 5m out, Combe Down move wide, but the defensive pressure sees the Ball fall loose and Bull kicks through, a lovely bounce saw him regather and sprint to score in the corner, and adding the extras.

Frome restarted the second with the lead, but knew that Combe Down would continue to threaten.

Combe Down to build phases through the Fly Half's kicking and Centres runs. A scrum just inside the half looks to go wide, but the pressure from Frome sees a loose ball collected by Cassidy who moved the ball wide to Weston who scores, Bull adds the extras.

The next 10mins or so, saw both sides evenly matched in the midfield, with neither team getting a foot hold of the game.

Combe Down made good break with the Centre and Winger combining well, a covering tackle from Stevan Randall sees them knock on. 

Frome make changes with John Benstead leaving the field with Jack Carter replacing him. Ali Frost comes off with Cory Plumridge returning to the field after injury.

It was the visitors who'd next be on the scoreboard as Frome are caught napping as a penalty sees Combe Down score under posts. Conversion added.

With Frome under a little pressure a clearance kick sees Combe Down charge down a kick and look to attack but Westlake collects to regain possession.

Another penalty sees the visitors break away again, but strong covering tackle by Hills see Combe Down knock on. 

With Combe Down back in the Frome 22 a strong attack sees Frome attack line 5m out but Frome hold firm, but Frome don't roll away and are given a yellow card. 

Down to 14 players, Frome defend well and force the knock on. Frome's scrum doesn't go to plan and Combe Down win a penalty and go quickly, but Plumridge covers across to hold up the ball.

The final minutes of the game are played out in the Frome 22, but the defence holds firm and the final whistle is blown. 

Full Time: Frome RFC 40-12 Combe Down RFC 

Player of the Match, Sponsored by I.M.S. Limited went to Second Row, Daniel Castle.

The win sees Frome climb to fourth place in Counties 1 Tribute Southern South.

This weekend sees a gap in League fixtures for all three senior side, with the 1st XV next in league action on the 2nd December away to North Dorset who sit one place above them in third.

The 2nd XV also return to league action on December 2nd with an away trip to Devizes RFC II. The 3rd welcome Bristol Telephone Area RFC to Lane in Counties 4 Somerset North.