Sat 9 Nov 2024
Frome RFC 50 - 26 Melksham RFC
Report by Trevor Osborne
Frome RFC welcomed Wiltshire rivals Melksham RFC to The Lane on Saturday and after a well respected 2 minutes silence for Remembrance, Frome the match got underway.
Frome started well, and with the Back Row of Dave Martin, Murray White and Matt Smith prominent in both defence and attack Frome quickly gained the ascendancy.
After a close call early on when John Benstead was forced into touch, the home side continued to put pressure on the visitors line and Smith burst through a gap to score a try.
The home backline started to show their skillset and after a period of pressure, Fly Half Henry Bull released Centre Cory Plumridge to score close to the posts for a try converted by Bull.
Melksham worked their way towards the Frome line and scored a try from close range to cut the deficit.
The home side continued to dominate exchanges and after a one two between Smith and Martin, Martin finished with aplomb.
Frome increased there lead when the ball was worked out wide and Full Back Simon Westlake released Winger Rob Sully to score in the corner.
Melksham replied with a converted try of their own, but Frome scored again before half time when Scrum Half, Billy James broke from the back of a ruck and showed great strength to beat the would be tacklers and score under the posts for a try converted by Bull.
HT: Frome RFC 31-12 Melksham RFC
The first half started with the visitors putting pressure on the Frome line but stout defence with replacement Dumo Ndluvo putting in some great tackles.
Frome then won a turn over on the half way line and the ball was worked to Simon Finch on the wing and he used his pace to finish in the corner.
Frome now put pressure on the Melksham defence and after a great interchange between the Forward pack and Backs, including a sublime offload by Captain, Geoff Taylor, the try came from Bull who followed up with the conversion.
Melksham then got a well deserved try after some good work by their forwards.
Frome continued to press the Melksham line and a kick by the visiting Fly Half found Bull who beat half the Melksham team only to be tackled just short of the line, however the ball was quickly recycled to Plumridge to score out wide.
Melksham kept working hard and gained a bonus point try with the final passage of play.
A great win by Frome 50-26, however the win was marred by a serious injury to Dan Castle, and the whole club wish him a healthy & speedy recovery.
FT: Frome RFC 50 - 26 Melksham RFC
Player of the Match, sponsored by The Old Bath Arms, Frome went to Flanker Dave Martin (sponsored by OB Detailing) and No.8 Matt Smith (sponsored by MADE Training).
This weekend Frome RFC travel to top of the table Royal Wootton Bassett RFC II.
