Frome RFC 38 Windsor RFC 19
FROME RFC welcomed Windsor RFC to Gypsy Lane on Saturday 2nd October, looking for their first win of the season.
With the heavy rain the sides would need to play sensibly but after gifting the ball to the visitors at the kick off, Frome conceded an early try following a ruck close to the Frome line the Windsor scrum half darting over for a converted try.
The home side immediately struck back however and after a drive from a line out, Frome RFC hooker, Alex Chalmers spotted the gap and crashed over for his first senior try. Windsor continued to threaten, and despite the weather, moved the ball wide to retake the lead with the winger scoring in the corner.
With the Frome RFC front row dominating the scrums it allowed great set piece, Frome worked their way up the pitch and Robbie James crash led over from close range. The final score of the first half came when fly half, Simon Westlake put in a perfect cross field kick for winger Bailey Rusz to chase, however with a certain try beckoning the defending full back took Rusz out off the ball and the referee awarded a penalty try to give Frome a 19-12 half time lead.
Frome started the second half in a positive mood and from a line out close to the line smart interplay between second row James Howard and scrum half John Benstead saw Benstead score in the corner.
Frome extended their lead from a five metre scrum, when they pushed Windsor backwards allowing captain, Alex Mallon to score a converted try. Frome’s final score came when from an uncontested scrum as a Windsor prop was in the sun bin, centre Ali Frost came through on a crash ball to score; full back Darrel Thompson completed the scoring with his third conversion.
Windsor had the final points of the day when, following a lapse in concentration, the centre broke through the middle to score under the posts. Frome RFC head coach, Toby Culff said, “After a difficult start to the season, it would have been understandable if the players had lost confidence and enthusiasm. To their credit, though, they’ve stayed positive and kept working determinedly in training.
“Saturday’s game was never going to be a classic but it was important that the players found a way to win. The pack controlled the set piece superbly, which delivered a steady source of possession and, even though we weren’t as reliable and threatening with the ball as we wanted to be, the backs and forwards worked well enough together to exert pressure on Windsor and create sufficient scoring opportunities. Crucially, when those chances to score came along, the players were able to take advantage. We need to continue to work hard because we’ve not yet reached a level of performance that we’re satisfied with, and we know we’re capable of playing much better, but this result was an incredibly important first step.
“To finally win at this level should be a source of pride and encouragement for the squad, and I feel sure they’ll use it as a springboard to better performances and more wins in the weeks ahead. Thanks to the supporters who weren’t deterred by the rain and to the coaches for their continued efforts.”
Lineup | 1. Taylor 2. Chalmers 3. G. Benstead 4. Howard 5. Howard 6. Bridie 7. James 8. Mallon (c) 9. J. Benstead 10. Westlake 11. Rusz 12. Frost 13. Jones 14. Sully 15. Thompson 16. Bower 17. King 18. Parry
Banbury RFC 45 Frome RFC 12
The Frome RFC 1st XV travelled to Banbury RFC and came up against a strong side looking to impress a large home crowd. Banbury started strongly and put the Frome defence under pressure.
The home side were first to score when the scrum half darted over from close range. This was followed by another score almost straight from the kick off when a dropped ball allowed the Bulls winger to break free and pass to his supporting player. Despite being 12-0 down after 10 mins Frome regrouped and for the next 20 mins held out and established a foothold in the match with captain Alex Mallon and debutants Henry Bull and Miles Davies working hard in attack and defence.
Despite the hard work from Frome, the home side increased the lead when from a penalty in his own half the fly half put a punishing kick deep into the Frome 22 and his pack did the rest from the line up as they set up an unstoppable maul for the score. Frome dug in and after some great carries by both the forwards and backs they were awarded a penalty in front the posts which Scrum Half John Benstead took quickly and good hands saw full back Rob Sully score in the corner.
Following injuries to both Frome centres a forced reshuffle of the backline saw replacement flanker Harry Bridle step in at inside centre. The home side increased the score with 4 tries but in between the effort from Frome paid off when after a strong run by second row Stevan Randell saw the ball move to winger Bailey Rusz who touched down to score a try, James Howard adding the extras. Despite the defeat against a strong Banbury team the performance levels continue to improve.
Director of Rugby, Cameron Hastie commented “It was a long day at the office for the 1st XV on Saturday, travelling to Banbury was never going to be easy. A very professional set up on and off the field. The team from 1-18 showed the courage and heart to justify why we deserved the promotion to South West 1 East, I’m extremely proud of the dogged attitude that the team showed.
“They fought every seconded of the game and left no one on their own, they can certainly hold their heads high, we’ve shown that Frome RFC 1st XV have built yet another mile stone in our journey.”
Lineup: 1. Taylor 2. King 3. Chalmers 4. Howard 5. Randall 6. Davies 7. Toten 8. Mallon (c) 9. J. Benstead 10. Westlake 11. Rusz 12. Frost 13. Da Jones 14. Bull 15. Sully 16. G. Benstead 17. Bridle 18. Do Jones. Frome currently sit in 11th in South West 1 East, and with a gap in fixtures this Saturday, the squad will prepare well for their next fixture on 23rd October at home against Beaconsfield.
