Sat 21 Sep 2024
Frome RFC II v Amesbury RFC
Report by Andy Vince
The Frome RFC 2nd XV welcomed Amesbury RFC 1st XV to The Lane this week, which was always going to be a bruising encounter with Amesbury boasting some big strong runners, and following kick off this was quickly realised when Frome lost Hooker Seth Lavington with concussion, and Second Row Chris Lewis with in the first 5 mins with an eye injury.
Despite the early injuries the first half started well for Frome, with Frome showing some good defence and when attacking just missed the final pass to get on the score sheet.
On 9 mins, following some good pressure from Frome, the homeside were awarded several penalties within the opposition 22 which lead to Second Row Stuart Elliott being put into the corner and getting his third try in three games. The Conversion attempt going just wide. (5-0)
Shortly after the restart Amesbury managed to get the ball wide, with their strong runners and offloading game causing problems for Frome, and although the homeside put some good tackles in they were unable to stop the visitors scoring in the corner. The conversions being missed. (5-5)
On 24 mins, with Frome back in the Amesbury half and piling on the pressure Amesbury were awarded a yellow card, from the quick tap, Captain, Phil Clarke was held up and the try went begging.
Frome were at it again shortly after, with great pressure but on the Amesbury’s Scrum 5 yards from their line, with a fumble by the Scrum Half, the Fly Half scooped up, only to be carried over the ball dead ball line by the Frome defence, giving Frome a 5 metre attacking scrum. Frome went wide with great hands from Centre Rory Diez-Harrison which saw Winger, Noah Stickley, on his senior debut going over in the corner for a try. Unfortunately Fly Half, Max Stickley couldn’t add the extras. (10-5)
On 31 mins Amesbury hit back again this time with Frome giving away numerous penalties allowing Amesbury to get in a good position and they crashed over the line. (10-10)
With 5mins remaining of the half, and following a great scrum by Frome, the home-side were awarded a penalty, Jack Stickley stepped up from distance, only to watch the ball go narrowly wide of the posts.
With half time nearing Amesbury were given another yellow card following several penalties being awarded against them in their 22 metre. Then a minute later, the visitors were issued another yellow card following a high tackle.
From the line out Frome nicked it off the top with a great reach by Josh Hills, allowing Clarke to sneak blind and crash over in the corner. (15-10)
HT: Frome RFC II 15-10 Amesbury RFC
Despite the burnouts penalties given away in the first half, it was Amesbury who started the stronger with the visitors Fly Half able to break through the line and then dance through the defence and score under the posts and added the conversion (15-17)
Then almost straight away, Amesbury managed to get it wide utilising their off loading game, which worked well, finding the space to go wide and to score in the corner. The conversion being added Kick made. (15-24)
Frome hit back and showed great patience with the Frome Forwards pushing hard. Taking it into the heart of the Amesbury defence, this time Flanker, Hills finding the space to crash over and score. The conversion being added by Max Stickley. (22-24)
On 62 mins Frome were again applying the pressure and with some great running in the Backline the ball came back to the open side, putting Clarke in space and with the line begging he took contact, luckily Inside Centre Matt Warnock was on had to clear up and touch the ball down for the try. Kick made by Max Stickley giving Frome the lead with 10mins remaining. (27-24)
Amesbury hit back again, this time from a scrum on half way, the Amesbury Scrum half picked and found a gap in the defence and go under the posts to score. The conversion was added and the visitors retook the lead. (27-31)
With the Full Time whistle nearing Frome were camped on the Amesbury line, with the home side throwing everything they could at the defence, but it held firm and with Frome going for the win, it was Amesbury against the run of play managed to break out to run the length of the field to score in the corner. (27-36).
FT: Frome RFC II 27 - 36 Amesbury RFC
Player of the Match was awarded to Second Row Daniel Castle, who made a massive impact to scrum when he came on and led from the front.
This Saturday the Frome RFC 2nd XV look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew RFC.
