Frome RFC travelled to Bath to meet old rivals Combe Down RFC on Saturday 26th October.
The home side won the toss and decided to use the slope in the first half. They put pressure on the visitors’ line but good defence with flanker Murray White, scrum half Billy James and second row Dumo Ndluvo all putting in big hits kept the Bath side from crossing the line, but the pressure eventually told and three penalties gave the home side a 9-0 half-time lead.
Half-time: Combe Down RFC 9 – 0 Frome RFC
Frome started the second half looking to use the slope to their advantage and straight from the kick-off a break by fly half, Henry Bull set up a good platform in the home 22 and after a couple of phases, centre Cory Plumridge burst through a gap to score; the conversion was added by Bull. (9-7)
Combe Down hit straight back and scored an unconverted try from a catch and drive at a line-out. (14-7)
Frome continued to press and following more good carries from the forwards, Plumridge scored a second try, converted by Bull. (14-14)
Both sides then had opportunities to score but Frome took the lead when a break by Flanker Matt Smith resulted in a penalty, which was kicked by Bull. (14-17)
As the game reached the final minutes, a Frome line out close to their own line was disrupted and gathered by the Combe Down second row, who crashed over for the winning score. (24-17)
Full-time: Combe Down RFC 24-17 Frome RFC
Player of the match was awarded to centre Cory Plumridge (sponsored by D3 Tape, UK)
Frome headed into the gap weekend sitting in fifth spot and will re-start with the Melksham fixture at home this Saturday 9th November.
Report by Trevor Osborne
Image: Cory Plumridge, Pictured by Katie White
