Sat 2nd Sept. Counties 1 Tribute Southern South. Frome RFC 19 Sherborne RFC 30.
THE Frome RFC 1st XV kicked off the new 2023/24 season with a home fixture against Sherborne RFC. The visitors kicked off in front of the large home crowd with both sides sharing attacks before a penalty in front of the posts saw Sherborne take an early lead.
With the cobwebs certainly being blown out by both teams, Frome looked to begin to build some phases together, but a loose carry saw the ball turned over and Sherborne increased their lead when the fly half kicked across field for winger to score out wide.
Frome then got a foothold on the game with the forward pack dominating the scrum, and a penalty close to the try line saw a play straight from the training ground pay off and the try scored, much to the delight of the home crowd. However the referee called it back and the try was disallowed. Frome finally got on the scoreboard with a penalty from full back Henry Bull.
The visitors increased the lead when outside centre broke through from close range but another Bull penalty brought half time score to 6-15. Half time: Frome RFC 6 – 15 Sherborne RFC.
Frome started the second half with the forwards moving the ball well, and scrum half John Benstead and fly half Darrell Thompson linking well in the backline, but Sherborne increased their lead through a try from a line out close to the corner. Another penalty saw Bull add a further three points.
Frome attacked well with the ball moving wide, and the backline looked to have found a way through, with winger Bailey Rusz offloading to full back Bull, who fed Simon Finch only to be tackled into touch. However the game took a large pause in play after winger Rusz sustained a head injury, and would be stretchered from the field. We’d like to take a moment to thank the medical team for their superb treatment and wish Bailey a healthy and speedy recovery.
With play restarting Frome responded with another penalty kick at goal, but Sherborne fought back with a penalty of their own and another try leaving the score 30-12. In the last play of the game with Frome pressuring the Sherborne line, replacement Flanker Sam Bartlett burrowed over for a try under the posts, the conversion being added by Bull.
Final score: Frome RFC 19 – 30 Sherborne RFC. Player of the match was awarded to winger Sam Cassidy.
1st XV Captain, Geoff Taylor commented, “The boys worked tirelessly for the entire game against a well organised Sherborne side. Throughout the 80 minutes we showed grit and passion and executed some fine rugby. Unfortunately, the result was not what we wanted but we will continue to work hard. I’d like to thank all the Frome Faithful supporters for attending in great numbers for our opening fixture of the new season.”
Frome RFC 1st XV: 1. G Taylor (c) 2. A Chalmers 3. G Benstead 4. D Castle 5. J Howard 6. H Bridle 7. J Hills 8. A Mallon 9. J Benstead 10. D Thompson 11. B Rusz 12. C Plumridge 13. E Bainimoli 14. S Cassidy 15. H Bull | 16. D Chaventre 17. S Bartlett 18. S Finch.
