Thu. 17th Mar. Bath Combination Cup Qtr Final Frome RFC 25 Midsomer Norton RFC 20
THE Frome RFC 1st XV were in Cup action when they welcomed local rivals Midsomer Norton RFC to The Lane in the Quarter Finals of the Bath Combination Cup.
The visitors would kick off the game in front of the large crowd, and it wouldn’t be long for the two sides to showcase some great displays of attack.
A clearance kick down field was caught well by Full Back Bailey Rusz, a penalty just outside the 22 saw Frome set a good platform, but a miss throw at the lineout saw Midsomer Norton counter attack and get themselves into the Frome half.
A scrum in the Frome 22 saw a powerful run from the visitors’ No.8, and a pass wide they were able to score in the corner, the conversion being missed.
The restart was regathered by Frome, and strong carries from Alex Mallon set up a good line of attack for Centre Dav Jones, but a penalty at the breakdown saw Midsomer Norton clear their lines. Frome were making good ground, but to the visitors’ credit, they were causing the home team all sorts of trouble at the breakdown and were awarded numerous penalties.
A good break from Rusz saw him attack the line before feeding Henry Bull who made a break down the Wing. Strong carries from the forwards got Frome into the Midsomer Norton 22.
14 mins in, a line out 5 metres out saw several Forwards phases with Elliot Bowler, JJ Gagiano and Geoff Taylor carrying well, before Centre Jones crashed through to touch down under the posts. James Howard converting.
It didn’t take Midsomer Norton to reply, and were soon back in the home side 22 and from the lineout got the Maul moving well and rumbled over to score, the conversion being missed.
A set piece from the lineout saw a good feed from Hooker Matt King to Jones, who broke through before Midsomer Norton were penalised in front of the posts, Howard adding the extras.
The visitors continued to threaten and were back into the Frome 22. From the lineout they set the ball wide, but a knock on saw Frome retake the ball for a scrum, but the ball came loose and Midsomer Norton were again on the attack. A following line out, catch and drive saw them cross over again, the conversion being missed, with 29 mins gone on the clock.
Frome looked sure to have scored again, but a fumble under the posts saw the try go missing. The following scrum saw another penalty and Midsomer Norton were able to clear their lines, but with the kick not reaching touch, Frome set another attack.
Prop Bowler would then go on the charge before being brought down 10m from the try line. Rusz and Bull would link again to bring the attack back to the 22, with carries from Simon Travers and Harry Bridle, but the final pass went missing and the half was up.
The second half started strongly for Frome, who were eager to get a foothold on the game.
A penalty in the visitors’ 22, saw a good lineout set up and a quick move saw Howard go over for the try, the conversion wide being missed.
Another penalty for Frome saw the home side get back into the opposition 22, and a break from Centre Ali Frost set up pick and go which saw Captain Alex Mallon cross over for the try, the conversion wing missed.
A Frome scrum just outside of their own 22 would see the next attack, when a move straight from the training field saw replacement Finn McNulty show he speed to break away into the opposition 22 before being brought down.
Frome were shown a yellow 25 mins in, with Connor McPherson off for 10mins. At 35 mins, a scrum in the Midsomer Norton 22 set another good platform for Frome, who put the ball through the hands and saw McNulty slip the ball out of the tackle for Bull to score in the corner. The conversion being missed.
Cory Plumridge made in impact as he came on as a replacement, cutting down a strong carry from the opposition centres.
Replacement Joe Hayes was also in fine attacking form, but as he brought a player down, would unfortunately leave the field following a serious shoulder injury. The final points of the night came from the visitors who found the space wide to dot down, the conversion being missed.
The final few minutes saw a tough contest in the midfield as Frome saw the clock out following a scrum and cleared the ball into touch for the final whistle.
Player of The Match was awarded to Centre Dav Jones.
Frome RFC now progress into the Bath Combination Cup Semi Finals.
Report: Matt Warnock
