The Frome RFC 1st travelled to Gillingham on Saturday to face old foes North Dorset RFC 1st, who are one of only two sides to have defeated Frome this season.
The home side started strongly and despite stout Frome defence, took an early lead when home Hooker Robbie Sampson burrowed over from 2 metres, the conversion drifting wide.
Frome were now getting more control of the game, but were coming up against a stern home defence and couldn’t find a way through. A chance came following a penalty, but kicker James Howard was unable to convert. With the Frome defence also in the ascendancy, led by man of the match, Dom Jones, half time came with the home side leading by 5 points.
Half Time: North Dorset 1st 5 – 0 Frome 1st
Frome started the second half in determined mood and put pressure on the home line from the kick off. After a period of sustained pressure, with the home side conceding a number of penalties on their own line and following a succession of scrums, Frome eventually scored when Hooker Geoff Taylor crashed over from 5 metres. The conversion attempt by Captain John Benstead drifted wide and the scores were level at 5 points all.
The final five minutes saw both sides try and create a scoring opportunity but with defences dominating the game, finished all square.
Full Time Score: North Dorset RFC 1st 5 – 5 Frome RFC 1st
Man of the match, sponsored by The Old Bath Arms, Frome, went to Frome RFC Fly Half Dominic Jones.
Frome RFC head coach Toby Culff commented, “This was another of ‘those days’ on which we failed to play well enough to really say that we ‘deserved’ to win. That we put ourselves in a position to win, after another sloppy and sleepy start, and a thoroughly disjointed performance in nearly every department, was pleasing and an improvement on our last fixture with North Dorset, but a draw was probably a fair outcome.
“Games between our two clubs are always close and hard fought. Due to injury and unavailability, we called up several players from the 2nds and played others out of position. I’d like to express my gratitude to those players for doing their jobs capably and without complaint.”
The Frome RFC 1st XV are back in action on Saturday when they welcome Southern Counties South league winners, Sherborne RFC 1st, to Gypsy Lane in the last league fixture of the season. With the Frome RFC 1st already securing the 2nd place playoff position, a good result for Frome will put them in good form coming into the playoff game on April 27th.
