Frome lose out in ‘fantastic battle’ against one of top league teams

Saturday 5th February Frome RFC 19 Oxford Quins RFC 22

THE Frome RFC 1st XV were the only senior side in action at the weekend (Saturday 5th February) when they welcomed Oxford Quins RFC to The Lane in a rearranged fixture. 

Frome began the game well with the forwards and backline combining well; however Quins showed their intentions looking to move the ball wide. A penalty at the scrum in the Frome 22 was taken quickly and the visitors found the space to sit down for a converted try.

With the restart not going 10, Oxford regained possession and worked the ball forward, a kick in behind was gathered by full back Darrell Thompson who cleared the ball downfield. 

Frome’s forwards worked brilliantly at the lineout with second row Connor McPherson stealing the lineout and second row James Howard and hooker Phil Clarke doing well carrying the ball with urgency. However, a pass from fly half Simon Westlake to centre Ali Frost, wasn’t caught cleanly and Oxford were awarded a scrum. 

The Frome pack began to pressure the visitors’ scrum and Flanker Cameron Hastie pounced on the No.8 halting any set piece; moving wide Frome were able to steal the ball, and clear their lines once again gaining some great territory. The Quins lineout was once again stolen by Frome and the home side began to build some pressure. 

Oxford’s defence held firm, and were awarded a penalty for holding on, a quick tap again saw them break the line but advantage called back following a knock on.

Frome would regain the ball following a scrum penalty which saw a quick tap and kick from Westlake downfield, some superb defence saw Frome win another penalty when the visiting winger was penalised for not releasing. 

The following lineout saw Frome set piece moves work well, with strong carries from captain Alex Mallon, and JJ Gagiano putting through a kick which gained some great distance before going out, the lineout was once again won.

Smart play from scrum half John Benstead saw flanker Will Button punch a hole in the defence before releasing centre Mike Rutt who went close to scoring before being brought down just short.

Another penalty and lineout 10m out, saw Mallon crash over from close range to score, but the referee deemed it to have been held up.

Frome had Quins on the back foot with prop Geoff Taylor and Benstead making a break, and following a high tackle on Rutt, Frome had another penalty and kicked off the corner.

Setting a strong base from the lineout, Frome carried hard and edged closer to the try line, eventually second row James Howard crashed through and reach out to score. The extras were added by Thompson. 

The celebrations were cut short with the visitors showing why they sit high in the league table, a quick tap penalty saw them move the ball swiftly through the backline before touching down in the corner. 

A strong carry by Quins 13 saw him break through to nearly score, but a great read from winger Henry Bull saw him intercept and regain possession. 

The pressure on the home side built when Quns looked to score again, but following a yellow card to Taylor, a quick tap penalty looked certain to have been scored, but some last-ditch defence from Frome held them out to the half time whistle.

From the restart Frome looked to regain the ball and a great tackle by centre Frost saw him win a penalty. Quins continued to threaten and a break saw them get back into the Frome 22, but a great cover tackle by Bull saw Frome awarded a scrum. 

Quins showed some dominance in the scrum and stole the ball, but another superb tackle from Bull saw Frome regain the ball, but a small scuffle broke out with the Oxford Quins No.8 being given a red card. 

Frome used the man advantage to gain some ground, and with Rutt and Leone Naucukidi making some great breaks, Frome found themselves back in the Oxford 22. 

A lovely kick through from Westlake but Quins were offside and was brought back for the infringement.  

Frome gained a scrum from 5m out and the home side dominated, pushing back the visitors, which saw captain, Mallon, at the back of the scrum drop down on the ball to score. Thompson adding the extras bringing things level. 

Oxford would attack again, breaking into the Frome 22, but a forward pass saw a missed opportunity, but was pulled back for penalty in front of sticks. The Quins fly half opting for the posts and easily slotting the kick to retake the lead.

Frome were caught napping at the restart when, following a penalty for a challenge in the air, Quins took the quick tap and broke the defensive line and were soon crossing the line to score, the conversion was missed. 

Frome didn’t let up, and McPherson caught the restart brilliantly and began to build in the opposition 22. Frome were soon awarded a penalty, and quick thinking from scrum half Benstead saw him break through the defence, but was again deemed to have been held up much to the disagreements from the home supporters. 

The Quins drop out was kicked straight out and saw Frome awarded with a scrum 5m out.

Frome continued their dominate efforts in the pack and push towards try line but was paused to reset. Prop Taylor then made a break, crashing over, but again the try was deemed to have been held up with some good defensive work from Quins. 

Winger Rob Sully soon showed some flare as he broke down his wing, an infringement by Quins saw a follow up from Taylor who this time crashed through to score, unfortunately the wide angle saw the conversion attempt go just wide and the final whistle was blown, with Frome being held just short of a win in a fantastic battle against one of the top teams in the league. 

Player of the Match was awarded to winger Henry Bull.

Report by Matt Warnock.