Frome end season in wrong gear

Sat. 23rd April. Marlborough RFC 19 Frome RFC 12

FROME travelled to Wiltshire for the last league game of the season looking to build on the recent win against high flying Newbury.  

The visitors started playing up the hill and with the strong wind favouring the home side who took advantage to pin Frome in their own half.  However strong defence led by the back row of Matt Smith, Dav Jones and Skipper Alex Mallon kept the home side at bay.  

On 20 minutes from a line out on the Frome 22, Marlborough worked the ball wide for their winger to score in the corner for a 5-0 lead. Frome continued to defend stoutly and a try-saving tackle by full back Bailey Rusz ensured there were no further scores in the first half. 

Marlborough kicked off in the second half and the ball bounced into touch deep in the Frome half, a knock on at the line out resulted in a scrum and the Marlborough No.8 released his winger to score a converted try. Frome then set up a position in the Marlborough 22 and thought they had scored when Mallon crashed over only for the ball to be adjudged held up.  

The home side worked their way upfield and from a five metre scrum the home No.8 picked up and bulldozed over to increase the home advantage to 19 points with a converted try. With 20 minutes left Frome put pressure on the home line and after a number of infringements and penalties a gap was created for flanker Dav Jones to crash over; the try was converted by centre Ali Frost.  

Frome continued to press for a second try and with 2 minutes on the clock Frost broke through the defence only to be stopped dangerously by the Marlborough hooker, who was shown a yellow card. 

With an ambulance being called, the match was moved to the adjacent pitch for the remaining moments and from the penalty, Frome kicked to the corner and set up a maul from the lineout which, with the backs joining in, was pushed over the line for Geoff Taylor to touch down for the score. James Howard unfortunately missed the conversion. 

Shortly after the whistle was blown for full time. 

Head Coach, Toby Culff, who steps down at the end of the season, said, “Thanks to everyone who played and supported us yesterday. We never really got into top gear and, consequently, the performance and the result didn’t turn out the way we desperately wanted. But the losing bonus point was crucial and we therefore finished above Grove and Buckingham in 12th place.  

“We still have one challenge left: to get to the Rec and to win a competition, which the club has never won before. I’ve no right to ask for yet more effort and commitment from the players, having already asked for so much, but I’m not throwing in the towel yet. For those prepared to walk the last mile with me, I’ll give it everything I’ve got. It will take a big club effort but I know we can do it. 

“It’s been a long, tiring season with lots of ups and downs. We’re all looking forward to a rest. But I’ve loved it, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together, and I’ll always remember the 21/22 season as a very, very special one.” 

This Friday night (29th April), the Frome RFC 1st XV travel to Keynsham RFC for the semi-final of the Bath Combination Cup. 

Report by Trevor Osborne