Saturday 26th March Witney RFC 31 Frome RFC 22
FROME travelled to Oxfordshire, looking to build on recent results against a Witney side also on a run of good form, having won their last 2 games.
Frome started in a positive manner, but a dropped ball in midfield gave the home side the platform to build an attack. After a number of phases, they released the Winger who rounded the Frome defence to score under the posts and give the home side an early 7- point lead.
Frome started to build the phases, with the Forwards carrying hard through Geoff Taylor and Will Button.
A midfield break by Fullback Bailey Rusz set up a ruck, which Second Row James Howard picked up from and broke through the home defence but was stopped just short of the line, however Flanker JJ Gagiano was on hand to touch down for the visitors’ first score.
Frome continued to put pressure on the home side and from a line out, a set move released Winger Henry Bull to break through and score a try, converted by Howard.
Frome extended their lead when another well worked line out move saw Gagiano put Johnny Benstead in the corner to give Frome a 10-point lead.
However, on the stroke of half time a 50/20 kick from the Witney Fly Half gave them possession within striking distance of the Frome line and eventually the Frome defence ran out of numbers, allowing the Winger to score a converted try.
The first 20 minutes of the second half were fought out in midfield without either side making any inroads.
The home side then took back the lead when, from a line out, their Second Row broke through to score.
Things got worse following the restart, when the home side broke through again to score and stretch their lead to 24-17.
However, Frome dug in, and with replacements Miles Davies and George Benstead adding energy to the Frome effort and from a penalty close to the line, Centre Ali Frost crashed over to score and give the visitors hope of pulling off a win in the final minutes.
But Witney pushed on, and a clever crossfield kick by the Fly Half bounced kindly for the chasing Winger, who scored and sealed a win for the home side.
A very competitive game between the two sides, which was well controlled by the Oxfordshire referee.
Report: Trevor Osborne
