Frome defeat league newcomers

The Frome RFC 1st made the long journey to visit league newcomers Grove RFC 1st on Saturday 8th, an unknown side to Frome having not played them before. Frome knew this away fixture could be a tough encounter with the mid table side.

Grove RFC started brightly, determined to preserve their good home record, however it didn’t take long for the visitors to get into the game and Frome started to exert pressure on the home side. After building a number of phases Frome were able to create space out wide for Fullback Daniel Arbury to score, the conversion was duly added by Man of the Match James Howard. 

Frome continued to press towards the Grove try line and with both the Forward pack and Backline carrying hard-created space out wide for Arbury to skip past the Fullback to score Frome’s second, the conversion being added.

Grove were awarded a penalty following the restart and despite stout Frome defence, they were eventually able to cross the line to score  a converted try. Frome responded immediately and with the Front Row dominating at the scrum, were duly awarded a penalty, which Howard slotted with ease.

Frome continued to dominate play and from a 5-metre scrum, stand-in Captain and No.8 Alex Mallon forced himself over to score an unconverted try. The visitors continued to press, with Forwards Phil Meenan and Rob James carrying well to create space for Winger Calum Bonallo to score the bonus point try. 

The first half scoring was completed when Fullback Arbury broke through to complete his hat trick; the try was converted by Howard to give the visitors a 34-7 lead going into half time.

Half Time: Grove RFC 1st 7 – 37 Frome RFC 1st

Grove started strongly in the second half and with the aid of the strong wind at their backs, kept Frome pegged back, but solid Frome defence, led by Fly Half Dominic Jones held the home side at bay until Frome were reduced to 14 men following a high tackle and Grove were able to use the extra man to score a converted try. 

Frome’s defence continued to hold and after they kicked a penalty to the corner, Winger Rob Sully cut a great line towards the home side’s posts, but was stopped short. Scrum half Luc Thomas picked up from the base of the resultant ruck and popped the ball to Howard to dot down.

With time up on the clock Grove continued to press, however a dropped ball in midfield was collected by Calum Bonallo to run 50 metres to score a try under the posts, converted by Howard,to complete a hard fought 46 -14 win.

Final Score: Grove RFC 1st 14 – 46 Frome RFC 1st

This Saturday Frome RFC 1st welcome 9th place North Dorset RFC 1st to Gypsy Lane where they’ll be playing in front of a packed house as we host our annual Players’ Reunion and VPs’ Lunch.

The Frome RFC 1st travelled to Yeovil RFC 1st on Saturday 1st December, looking to continue their successful run of games having won all games since the season opener, where they lost narrowly against league leaders Sherborne RFC.

Frome started strongly and after a period of pressure in the Yeovil half, were awarded a penalty for an infringement at the breakdown by the home side. James Howard was able to slot the kick easily between the posts. Yeovil’s only points of the day came shortly after, following a spell of pressure on the visitors’ line. Having lost a man to the sin bin for pulling down a maul, Yeovil were able to capitalise on the extra man advantage to drive over for a try. 

Unfortunately Frome RFC Captain, John Benstead, had to leave the field due to an injury to his shoulder and a move around in the backline saw Fullback and MOTM Daniel Arbury come into Scrum Half. The visitors were able to build on phase play and got themselves back into the opposition 22 before another penalty was awarded to Frome, which was duly converted to give them a slender 6 -5 lead at half time. 

Half Time Score: Yeovil RFC 1st 5 – 6 Frome RFC

Frome started strongly in the second half and with the Centre combination of Mike Rutt and Ali Frost causing all kinds of problems up the middle of the park. This allowed the Forwards to dominate and after a 20-phase move, a fantastic tip off by Frome’s Prop put Hooker Matt King in to score in the corner, the kick going just wide.

The Frome forwards continued to create chances and after another multi-phase move, Winger Rob Sully touched down in the corner, again the wind making the kick difficult and it went wide. A hard fought win which keeps Frome hard on the heels of league leaders, Sherborne RFC, who now sit just 6 points adrift.

Final Score: Yeovil RFC 1st 5 – 16 Frome RFC 1st

Head coach, Toby Culff said, “It feels as though we’ve been looking ahead to this game for a very long time. We were embarrassed by our 2nd performance against Yeovil last season and, with their strong start to the 2018/19 campaign, we were extremely motivated for this match between the 2nd and 3rd best teams in our league.”

“We travelled with masses of confidence and a belief that, if we could execute our game plan, we would come home with the win. The team played with massive energy, intensity and commitment, and I felt that we were the better side throughout. We have unfortunately developed a worrying tendency to cough up possession, either through misjudged passes or ill-discipline, which interrupted our rhythm and, in my view, kept the match closer than it should have been. We could and should have scored at least 4 tries and come away with the bonus point.”

“This is something which we must urgently attend to. When we looked after the ball and demonstrated some patience, however, we were outstanding from 1-18, and the players deserve enormous credit for once again rising to the big occasion. The pack was utterly dominant in the set piece and around the park, and our backs regularly went through or around the Yeovil defence with sharp hands and feet. This was a tremendous team performance which should further build our confidence, but tough challenges still lie ahead. We are fully focused on securing another victory this coming weekend against Grove. ”

Pictures by Martin Edwards.