Sat 9 Dec 2023
Frome RFC 37 - 15 Swanage & Wareham RFC
Report by Trevor Osborne
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, as the side looked to avenge a defeat from earlier in the season.
The game started with the wind blowing across the pitch disrupting play but Frome quickly warmed to the task at hand with the Forwards, lead by Second Row duo of 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 and after exchanging passes with his brother Sam Bartlett, 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 Fromes third in the corner.
HT: Frome RFC 15 - 0 Swanage & 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 the posts.
Fromes fifth try came when after another attack involving the whole team resulted in Fly Half Simon Westlake putting in a well placed kick, and with the chasing attack, the Swans full back pushed dead resulting in a penalty try and sin bin.
Geoff Taylor’s Men then put together an excellent passage of play to put Frost away for a try, converted by Bull.
Swanage & 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.
FT: Frome RFC 37 - 15 Swanage & Wareham RFC
The Player of the Match award went to I.M.S. Limited Second Row, James Howard
A great all round performance by Frome and they will look to carry this forward to Walcot RFC next week.
