Report by Andy Vince

The Frome RFC welcomed the league leaders, Melksham RFC 1st XV to The Lane this weekend, and were more confident due to their good performance last weekend.

Melksham showed why they were top of the league from the start, with big carries and good movement off the ball, and on 10 mins Frome were unlucky with a decision but Melksham pounced on space it provided and the winger finished well in the corner. The kick was made from out wide.

On 15mins Melksham were pushing hard and causing the Frome defence all sorts of problems, which lead to too many Penalties, which kept putting the away side in good positions, allowing their centre to crash over under the posts. Kick made.

Not long later following some good phases by Melksham the Frome defence gave way under the amount of pressure to allow another score.

Frome were just starting to get on the ball and making some great runs with Flanker Owen Jones making a nuisance of himself and his Back Row partner Matt Smith making ground.

But on 29 mins this was undone, when Melksham picked up a lose ball at a line out and with some bad tackling allowed the Melksham hooker to run from the 10 metre line to score.

Frome however did get themselves on the score sheet near the end of the half, with a penalty kick taken by Full Back Pete Foley. 

HT: Frome RFC II 3 - 28 Melksham RFC

Frome started off the second half much better, with some phases now being put together, and on 55mins Flanker Matt Smith bursted through and took the attack into the Melksham 22, and with the visiting defence on the back foot, Scrum Half, Billy James sniped though the gap to score. Kick made by Pete Foley.

Frome's delight was only short lived as on 60 mins Melksham managed to break and got it wide to their winger who showed great pace to go round the Frome defence to score.

Frome weren't quite finished and from a scrum Frome attacked the blindside with Full Back Pete Foley glided through the defence to touch down, and adding the extras.

Unfortunately Frome's discipline let them down and a penalty was awarded to Melksham from the kick off, Melksham went up the gears again and scored again.

Melksham ended the game with a penalty kick to end the game 17-45.

FT: Frome RFC II 17 - 45 Melksham RFC 

The Frome RFC Player of the Match went to Full Back Pete Foley.

Team Manager, Andy Vince commented "Definitely going in the right direction, we have played the top two teams in two weeks and we have managed to put 47 points on them, which although we've lost both games, shows when we are getting the ball we are doing good things."

This coming weekend (and next) sees a gap in league fixtures with the 2nd XV back in league action on Saturday 3rd February when they welcome Salisbury RFC II to The Lane. 

Photos by Nick Perry