Sat. 15th Feb. Southern Counties South Frome RFC 31 Devizes RFC 5
Frome RFC welcomed Wiltshire rivals Devizes RFC to a wet and windy Gypsy Lane on Saturday 15th February looking to avenge the narrow defeat earlier in the season.
Playing up the hill and in the face of the strong wind Frome started well keeping the ball tight with forwards and carrying strongly.
Frome had the visitors on the back foot early and thought they had scored out wide when fullback Rob Sully touched down, but were called back for a forward pass.
However, they were brought back for a penalty under the posts and opted for the scrum. With the front row of Geoff Taylor, Ryan Lech and Elliott Bowler putting pressure on the opposition, a pushover try looked inevitable. But Devizes were adjudged to have transgressed under pressure and Frome were awarded a penalty try.
Frome continued to dominate and scored a second try when from a set play from a line out on the opposition 22, second row James Howard broke down the touch line and found captain John Benstead in support to score in the corner, giving Frome a 12-nil half time lead.
Playing with the wind and slope in the second half, Frome continued to control the game in the second half.
They continued to pressure the visitors with solid defence marshalled by centre Dominic Jones. The pressure finally paid off when after a number of phases with forwards and backs carrying hard centre Dav Jones (now playing Flanker) touched down at the base of the post from short range, the try being converted by Howard.
The Frome effort continued with the replacements bringing fresh legs to the attack. Frome secured the bonus point when after a line out Frome created a ruck close to the line and Lech burrowed over from close range.
The Frome pack continued to dominate and from a scrum, 10 metres out and despite having a man in the sin bin, man of the match Ross Toten broke from the back of the scrum and with a deft touch released winger Craig Thompson to score in the corner.
Despite a late try by Devizes this was a great team effort by all of the team to secure a fine win in difficult conditions. A huge thanks must go to the supporters who braved the wind and rain to cheer on the side.
Head coach Toby Culff said, “Irrespective of the injuries which affected us that day, we were bitterly disappointed with our close loss at Devizes earlier in the season. It was a result which badly dented our promotion aspirations and the nature of the loss, on a blustery, wet and niggly day, was especially disappointing. It was the type of match which we back ourselves to win. As it turned out, that fixture in Devizes, as well as our last match in a Corsham gale a couple of weeks ago, proved an instructive dress rehearsal.
“Storm Dennis ensured that this encounter was a tight and attritional one. To be honest, that suited us down to the ground. The players were motivated to avenge the aforementioned defeat and they’d prepared well all week. However anxious the weather made me, it had no adverse effect on the players whatsoever. In fact, it only acted to strengthen their resolve and heighten their concentration. From the first minute, they were absolutely magnificent. They played with remarkable precision, considering the conditions, allied with huge composure and unstoppable physicality. It might not have been pretty, as such, but it was completely beautiful to their coach’s eyes and I think the performance ranks among the very best I’ve ever witnessed at The Lane. It’s one I’ll not forget and I can’t give the players enough credit. The encouragement of the many sponsors and supporters in attendance was much appreciated, and the players were wholly deserving of their warm congratulations after the final whistle. Well done to everyone!”
There is a break in league fixtures for the 1st XV who are back in action on the 29th February when they travel to 5th place Yeovil RFC.
The Man of the Match award, sponsored by The Old Bath Arms, Frome, went to Ross Toten and Dominic Jones.
