Sat 3rd Feb. Counties 1 Tribute Southern South. Corsham RFC 17 Frome RFC 14.
FROME travelled across the border to Wiltshire to face a Corsham a side who had shown recent improved results, and much changed from the last time the two sides met.
The visiting team had a number of changes themselves due to unavailability and injuries but were confident and looking to continue their recent winnings run. The home side started strongly and with the fly half using the conditions to pin Frome back in their half they enjoyed the better of the early exchanges.
Corsham side took the lead through a converted try despite some great defence from Cory Plumridge and James Howard. They then extended their lead when Frome committed an offence at the breakdown and the fly half converted the penalty.
Frome gradually got a foothold in the game thanks to their dominant scrum and thought they had got on the scoreboard from a rolling maul only for the referee to adjudge the ball as held up. Frome continued to press, and from a five-metre scrum number 8 Alex Mallon broke only to be held up over the line. The first half finished with Corsham leading by ten points.
The home side started the second half strongly and increased their lead to 17 points with a well worked try. Frome started to press with centres Cory Plumridge and Ali Frost carrying hard alongside replacement full-back Zach Bartlett.
After a number of scrums close to the Corsham line, the home side were penalised and a penalty try was awarded. Frome continued to press and from a planned penalty, captain Geoff Taylor was able to burrow over for a try, which was converted by James Howard to give Frome a valuable losing bonus point. The player of the match award went to centre Cory Plumridge and second row James Howard.
Frome are back in action on 17th February when they welcome Dorchester RFC to The Lane.
Report by Trevor Osborne.
