Sat 28 Sep 2024
Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew 49 - 12 Frome RFC II
Report by Andy Vince
The Frome RFC 2nd XV travelled to Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew RFC on Saturday, and knowing they would be up against it due to their being a large number of unavailable players left at home.
The first half didn’t start well with Frome losing a defensive scrum in their 22, and the homeside attacking the midfield, with a miss tackle they were able to crash over with only 2mins on the clock. The kick was made 7-0.
On 11 mins Frome were dealt a big blow when they lost their veteran Centre Matt Warnock to injury, Wheatsheaf took advantage of the reshuffle, and went wide scoring in the corner. 12-0
Frome then managed to soak up some of the pressure, with some great tackles by Dumo Ndlovu, Harry Bridle and Josh Hills. Jack Stickley also holding his own out in the Centres.
On 25 mins the homeside had a sustained amount of pressure which lead to an over lap and they didnt miss out scoring again in the corner. 17-0
But then on 30 mins, following some good runs by Stu Elliott and Dumo Ndlovu, Frome were awarded a penalty which Jack Stickley stepped up and hit through the middle of the posts. 17-3
This was matched almost straight away by a penalty of their own giving them a 20-3 scoreline.
And the penalty tennis match continued as three mins later Jack Stickley stepped up again to score his second kick 20- 6.
But just as the half was ending Wheatsheaf put some phases together and again Frome showed great heart but were just out done and an overlap appeared and the homeside took it again. Kick made.
HT: Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew RFC 27-6 Frome RFC II
The second half started badly again for Frome, with Wheatsheaf catching the ball straight from kick off, and attacking into the heart of the Frome defence, and score again.
Then 6 mins later the homeside were awarded a penalty 5m out and were just too strong for the Frome defence and crashed over.
On 50mins Fromes Jack Stickley stepped up for another penalty 39-9.
And three mins later Jack Stickley pointed at the posts again, but this time he missed only to be allowed another go due to an infringement, he made no mistake this time to slot it through the posts. 39 - 12
On 61 mins with his confidence high, Jack Stickley pointed at the posts again, this time from the half way line. He hit it sweet enough but it just went wide of the posts.
On 66 mins, and totally against the run of play with Frome trying hard to get over the line in Wheatsheaf 22, the ball was turned over and the homeside ran it from their own 22, keeping the ball alive and supporting well they went the length of the pitch to score. The kick was made 49 - 12.
On 70 mins Frome suffered another blow, with Flanker Harry Bridle being cleared out of the ruck illegally, unfortunately he dislocated his knee and had to be carried off the pitch. Wheatsheaf’s player being shown a yellow card.
Then just as one sin bin finished the homeside were awarded another yellow card, which was due to a series of penalties in the their 22.
On 78 mins Frome were looking like they were going to score with an overlap out wide and the try line begging, Frome just missed out when the final pass just didnt happen and the chance went.
FT: Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew RFC 49 - 12 Frome RFC II
Player of the Match was awarded to Jack Stickley - positive throughout the game and never stopped trying. His kicking game was spot on too.
Frome RFC 2nd XV Team Manager, Andy Vince commented “I can’t fault the commitment of the players, however you can’t keep losing scrums as you can’t get any continuity in attack.
We will be ready for when Wheatsheaf come to The Lane later in the season for sure, and will be much more prepared. Id like to thank our hosts for their hospitality and a special thank you to their physio Matty, who was an absolute star and without him the afternoon would have been a lot harder."
The Frome RFC 2nd XV take a break from league fixtures this weekend, and are next in action the following week at home against Salisbury RFC 2nd XV.
