FROME RFC welcomed second placed Swanage & Wareham RFC to The Lane on Saturday in front of a large crowd of ex-players and supporters, following the Annual Players Reunion Lunch. The side looked to avenge a defeat from earlier in the season.
The game started with the wind blowing across the pitch disrupting play. Frome quickly warmed to the task at hand with the forwards led by second row duo, Dan Castle and player of the match, James Howard, both carrying strongly as Frome used the strong wind to put pressure on the Swans defence.
The first score came when scrum half Zach Bartlett, broke from the back off a ruck and beat several would-be tacklers to score the first try.
Frome continued to build on the solid platform set by the front row of Geoff Taylor, John Benstead and Gordon Grierson at the scrum, and a second try came when Zach Bartlett took a quick penalty. After exchanging passes with his brother Sam Bartlett, he put Rob Sully away to score with aplomb in the corner.
Swans had a period of pressure on the Frome line but great defence, characterised by some superb tackling by centre Sam Cassidy, kept the visitors at bay.
Frome continued to put phases together and with centre Ali Frost making inroads in the midfield, space was created out wide for Sully to score his second and Frome’s third in the corner.
Half Time: Frome RFC 15 – 0 Swanage and Wareham RFC
The second half started with Frome pressing for the bonus point try and this came when a kick out of defence found full back Henry Bull, who set off on a trademark run to release Frost, wide on the right to score in the corner.
The home side increased their lead when Swans were adjudged to half transgressed at the break down and Bull converted the penalty from in front of the posts.
Frome’s fifth try came when, after another attack involving the whole team, fly half Simon Westlake put in a well-placed kick and with the chasing attack, the Swans full back pushed dead resulting in a penalty try and sin bin.
Captained by Geoff Taylor, the team put together an excellent passage of play to put Frost away for a try, converted by Bull.
Swanage and Wareham never gave up and continued to threaten with ball in hand and capitalised with Frome numbers reduced by two yellow cards, the visitors scored a couple of late tries.
Full Time: Frome RFC 37 – 15 Swanage & Wareham RFC
The Player of the Match award went to second row James Howard, presented by I.M.S. Limited, the club’s sponsor.
A great all-round performance by Frome and they will look to carry this forward to Walcot RFC next week.
Report by Trevor Osborne
