Saturday 10th January
Corsham RFC 17 – 34 Frome RFC
Frome travelled across the border to Wiltshire as they took on Corsham RFC, looking to start 2026 with a win and make amends for the home loss to them earlier in the season.
They were supported by the Frome army who were there in numbers as both the second and third team games were called off.
The home side started strongly but the Frome defence, led by captain Alex Mallon held out and on Frome’s first attack, the home side were penalised for an infringement at the ruck duly converted by full-back Max Stickley.
Corsham continued to press and after a Frome infringement the home fly-half put the ball in the corner and from the ensuing line out a well organised maul resulted in Corsham touching down to take the lead.
Frome were reduced to 14 men when Murray White was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes; however this seemed to spur Frome on and from a scrum on the edge of the 22, fly-half Simon Westlake released the backs and the ball was worked out to Darrell Thompson to scored close to the post; Stickley adding the extras.
Corsham looked to make the extra man count but a dropped ball on the Frome 22 was picked up by Harrie Webster who sprinted clear to score under the posts for a converted try.
Corsham pressed hard towards the end of the first-half but great defence led by the back row of Mallon, Dave Martin and Josh Hill kept them at bay with two balls held up over the try line.
Frome started the second half with attacking intent and from a planned move in midfield Max Stickley burst through a gap in the defence and put in a well-paced kick behind the defence which was collected by Archie Coleman to beat the last defender and dot down for the third try.
Frome increased the lead when Max Stickley broke through again and the ball was passed to Dave Martin to score close to the posts for a converted try.
The home side now responded and following a number of penalties scored a second try from a rolling maul.
They continued to press forward, and Frome were again reduced to 14 men; this gave the home side space for the full-back to burst over close to the posts.
From the restart Frome were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch.
At the resulting line out James Howard caught the home defence napping and burst down the touchline and with the defence covering across passed the ball out to replacement prop Eliki Bainmoli to crash over for a final try converted by Max Stickley.
A great start to 2026 with a five-point win on the road although with the support it sounded like a home fixture at times.
Player of the Match went to Josh Hills, sponsored by Connor Construction and Max Stickley, sponsored by LGS Solutions.
Saturday also saw walk over wins for both the Frome RFC 2nd XV and 3rd XV.
This weekend sees the Frome action at home against Marlborough II, whilst the Frome 2nd XV travel to Bath to take on Bath Saracens RFC. The Frome 3rd XV, also at home, welcome Chew Valley III to The Lane.
Report by Trevor Osborne
Pictures by Katie White
