Report by Trevor Osborne

Frome travelled to Bath on Saturday to face Combe Down, a side they had beaten earlier in the season, but with the side being headed up by former Frome RFC Coach, Elliott Bowelr, they knew a tough battle would certainly be on the cards.

Playing down the hill Frome started strongly with Centres Ali Frost and Cory Plumridge making inroads into the Combe Down line, but stout defence by the home side forced a penalty and they were able to clear their lines. 

The majority of the first half was dominated by the defences as both sides struggled to gain the initiative however the Bath side took the lead when Frome were penalised for a high tackle in front of the posts for a penalty converted by the home Fly Half. 

With time running out on the clock, and a line out close to the line No.8 Alex Mallon spotted a gap in the home defence to score an unconverted try and give Frome a slender 5-3 lead at half time. 

HT: Combe Down RFC 3 - 5 Frome RFC 

Frome started the second half strongly with replacement Stevan Randall and Eliki Bainimoli carrying hard into the opposition half. 

After a period of pressure a short ball from Scrum Half, Zach Bartlett put Bainimoli through a gap to extend Frome's lead for another try. 

The visitors continued to press and after a number of phases the ball was worked wide for Cory Plumridge to score. The conversion  by Full Back Henry Bull was slotted from out wide. 

The home side now started to use the slope and wind to their advantage and after Frome had transgressed at a breakdown they set up a driving maul to reduce the deficit. 

With time running out a mazy run by the home side Fly Half created a gap in the defence and allowed the Second Row to break through a gap to score a converted try. 

Frome kicked off with 2 mins remaining on the clock knowing any slip could give the home side an opportunity to snatch a win but desperate defence kept the home side in their own half and eventually Frome were able to get the ball and Phil Clarke kicked the ball off the park to end a hard fought encounter.

FT: Combe Down RFC 15 - 17 Frome RFC 

Player of the Match Awards went to Eliki Bainimoli and Ali Frost, special mentions must go also to James Howard, Stevan Randall and Cory Plumridge.

This weekend Frome RFC continue league action when they welcome top of the table, North Dorset RFC to The Lane, with Frome sat in 4th spot Frome hope make amends for the away loss earlier in the season.

Photos by Nick Perry Photography