Sat 11 Jan 2025
Salisbury RFC II 20 - 41 Frome RFC II
Report by Andy Vince
On Saturdays afternoon the Frome RFC 2nd XV made the trip into Wiltshire for their away game at Salisbury RFC 2nd XV.
The first half started badly for the away team, as Salisbury were awarded a penalty in the Frome 22, and with only 3mins on the clock and with the journey still in their legs, Frome didn’t react to a quick tap by the home team and they crashed over to score in front of the posts. The conversion attempt however went just wide.
From the kick off Frome did well with a great steal by Second Row Stevan Randall, this released No.8 Stuart Elliott to go over the line, only to be ruled held up.
On 15 mins a really good counter attack from Frome, where the ball was kicked through, Full Back, Noah Stickley gathered well and set off, finding Dumo Ndlovu, who drew the man well, setting the returning Winger, Bailey Rusz off on a run that put Frome from one 22 to the other, this lead to a penalty which Frome kicked to the corner, but couldn’t quite capitalise when they knocked it on.
On 19 mins, Salisbury attempted to clear, but could only find Rusz, who ran it into mid field and into the home sides 22, Scrum Half Billy James then fed Winger Rob Sully who had a one on one with his opposite number, Sully powered over the line to score.
Salisbury replied almost straight away following a knock on from the kick off, from this mistake they managed to work the ball round the corner and the Salisbury Winger managed to stay in field and touch down.
On 25 mins, Frome defence went missing for a couple of phases which allowed the home sides attack to get into a strong position, a penalty went to Salisbury who were able to get over the line again for a score.
On the half hour mark, some really good pressure from the Frome defence allowed Dumo Ndlovu and Stu Elliott to take it on and make good metres, Scrum Half Billy James then threw an elaborate dummy, which sent the would be defence the wrong way and he went through the gap and touched down under the posts. Fly Half, Max Stickley added the extras.
Then on 37 mins a lovely kick put through from Fly half Max Stickley nearly putting Bailey Rusz in only just missing out with the defender just getting in ahead of him.
From the drop out, Frome enjoyed some strong runs by Stevan Randall and William Button, which put Frome in some great positions.
With Frome wining another ruck, the ball came out to Max Stickley who was now growing in confidence and pulled out magic inside pass to Centre and Captain Ethan White who ran through the gap in the defence to score under the post. Max Stickley added the extras.
HT: Salisbury RFC II 15 - 19 Frome RFC II
A good start to second half, with Frome awarded a scrum in a good position in Salisburys 22, a good carry by Cory Plumridge, which set up a good phase allowing Stevan Randall able to crash over from close range. Max Stickley added the extras.
Then on 44mins another good carry by Cory Plumridge, and then Stevan Randall took Frome into the Salisbury 22 and close to the try line, Scrum half Billy James sniped again and managed to use his quick feet to get over the line.
On 55mins, Winger Tom Weston showed what he could do, with a great counter attack, taking the ball from Frome’s 22, getting past several would be tacklers and getting over half way, with Randall supporting well, and taking it just short of the Salisbury 22, Max Stickley kicked though, only to knock on trying to gather the ball, with the try line begging.
On 61 mins some good carries by the William Button and Prop William Dennett. This allowed Stevan Randall to crash over from 5m out.
On 76 mins Frome broke out of defence again, this time it was Max Stickley making ground, who found Tom Weston, who injected some pace into the attack, who cut inside and feed the every present Randall, who was held up just short of the line, Max Stickley had done well and followed the attack and was fed by James, down the narrow side and scored in the corner.
FT: Salisbury RFC II 20 - 41 Frome RFC II
Player of the Match was awarded to Stevan Randall, not just for his strike running which was very impressive, but his overall game, he defended well gaining several turn overs and lead from the front, he was a constant threat and must have covered every blade of grass.
