The Frome RFC 1st welcomed Somerset rivals Yeovil RFC 1st to Gypsy Lane, expecting a tough battle against the side sitting third in the league, just behind the home side.
From the kick, Frome’s ferocious defence, led by Man of the Match Cameron Hastie, held the visitors in their own twenty two and it wasn’t long before Frome were on the scorecard. The Forwards, along with Elliott Bowler and Geoff Taylor who both carried hard at the defence, created space out wide for Winger Luc Thomas to step his opposite number to score.
Frome continued to press and after a planned move from the line out, a ruck was set up close to the try line and Thomas dived over for his second try, which was duly converted by James Howard.
With Yeovil being penalised, Howard stepped up to slot with ease.
The final score of the first half came when a Yeovil clearance kick was gathered by Winger Calum Bonallo, who broke through the defensive line and set up Centre Mike Rutt to score. The try was converted and Frome led 22-0 at half time.
Half Time: Frome RFC 1st 22 – 0 Yeovil RFC 1st
The home side continued to dominate in the second half and scored again shortly after kick off, when a break by Hooker Taylor saw him offload to replacement Matt Smith, who was on hand to score.
Frome were now in full flow and from a five-metre Scrum, Second Row Phil Meenan picked up and found Howard in support, to score a try he duly converted. Howard was now in rampant mood and broke through a number of would-be tacklers to score his second try.
With Yeovil restarting, the kick off went straight to touch and from the scrum on half way, replacement Ali Frost found Fullback Rob Sully, who scored Frome’s seventh try out wide. Howard completed his hat trick when after more great work from the pack, he crashed over from close range and completed a personal tally of 28 points.
The final try came when Prop Aaron Blaney took the ball at pace 20 metres out and burst through the defence to score and complete a convincing win, securing 2nd place in the Southern Counties South league and a playoff spot.
Head coach Toby Culff said, “It was very clear before the game, and during its early stages, that both teams were extremely motivated. Yeovil knew that only a win would maintain their hopes, however slim, of catching us in the race for 2nd place. The Frome players, however, had no intention of permitting such hope to endure, and it was clear within a few minutes that their victory was a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’.
“I have nothing this week but praise for the team. They were magnificent! They were ambitious, accurate and astute in attack, and powerful, belligerent and courageous in defence. The personification of this courage was our flanker, director of rugby and Man of the Match, Cameron Hastie, who refused to take a backwards step all afternoon. He wasnt alone.
“Yeovil didn’t play well, but they weren’t allowed to play well. They were simply overwhelmed by a better and more determined opponent. I am just immensely proud of them.
“The whole club is also very proud of our 2nd team who, again, have dominated a close rival and maintained their unbeaten record.”
• Frome have a gap in league fixtures next week and are next in action on March 23rd when they welcome Grove RFC 1st, who now sit in 3rd place behind Frome.
