Sat 15 Feb 2025
Melksham RFC 14 - 22 Frome RFC
On Saturday Frome made the short trip across the border to Wiltshire to face Melksham RFC.
Frome started well in the opening exchanges, but an infringement on the half way line meant to home fly Half was able to kick to the line deep inside Frome’s 22.
The resulting lineout was defended well with Frome getting a 22 drop out, a good chase led to Flanker Joe Benning putting in a superb tackle for Frome to regain possession.
A break down the line from Winger Rob Sully saw him go narrowly close before being put into touch.
The homeside then had a string of phases moving the ball wide well, a great tackle Frome Winger Bryn Lewis kept the threat at bay forcing a knock on.
Frome led another attack with Scrum Half, John Benstead dropping well paced box kick into the Melksham 22, but the homeside were eventually able to clear there lines.
Melksham, who continued to look threatening with ball in hand worked there way towards the Frome 22, but a clever read from Captain, Geoff Taylor saw the Prop intercept the pass to regain possession before being awarded a penalty.
A clearance kick saw Melkshams Centre return the ball wits gusto, but the Centre partnership of Cory Plumridge and Bailey Rusz halted any momentum.
Frome’s pack struggled at the next Scrum, with Melksham attacking inside Frome’s 22, a well covered tackle from Sully saw the ball held up in the corner.
Melkshams next attack in the 22, saw the visitors hold out multiple phases, but a gap on the fringe saw the homeside Scrum Half for down under the posts.
The next minutes became scrappy with the slippery conditions having an effect. Fly Half, Simon Westlake and Full Back Darrell Thompson making some superb clearance kicks.
James Howard and Josh Hills would then make some barn storing runs into the opposition half, gaining a penalty in the process to gain a lineout 5 metres out.
A great lineout take by Second Row Matt McCarthy saw Frome attack well on the next phase. Frome gained a scrum from the next attack which set up a play straight from the training field with Westlake out Rusz into a great gap and the Centre sprinting his way from one 22 to the other.
No.8 Alex Mallon with then make a great break before offloading to James Howard who out Sully down the Wing only to be stopped short.
Frome was then awarded a Penalty in front of the posts which Howard duly slotted.
From the restart Melksham attacked well, with a well placed kick from the Fly Half deep into Frome’s 22, Lewis covered well, stepping away from contact before offloading to Howard who threw a superb dummy pass to charge through the gap to get Frome back towards the halfway line.
Stevan Randall and Owen Marsh then linked up well to get some more territory, but the half time whistle came and Frome went into the second half trailing.
HT: Melksham RFC 7 - 3 Frome RFC
The second half couldn’t have started better for Frome with only 2mins gone, a clearance kick by Melksham landed nicely for Full Back Thompson who drew the opposition in well before offloading to Lewis, who passed the Winger before fixing the Full Back and passing to Rusz who dotted down to score. Howard adding the extras.
Melksham had a good spell of attack in the Frome half, but good line speed from Frome kept them at bay. Another kick from the Fly Half saw Frome gain the lineout just outside the 22.
A clearance kick from Benstead saw a great chase by Plumridge who tackled the Winger before Frome were awarded a Penalty for holding on.
The following lineout, just outside the Melksham 22 saw a great break by Mallon who dragged severely would be tacklers 10m from the lineout, quick hands from Benstead to Westlake saw Sully put a wide pass to Thompson, who fixed the covering Winger to pass to Winger Bryn Lewis, who dotted down in the corner to score his first Senior try, much to huge celebrations by the players and supporters. Howard’s conversion attempt going just wide.
Clearly frustrated, Melksham were penalised again and Frome were able to gain some much needed territory deep into the opposition 22.
Taylor then linked up well with Benstead who broke through fighting off several tacklers to dot down for a try, however the referee deemed it had been held up.
A Frome scrum shortly after, 5m out saw a great platform set for the backline to attack, Fly Half, Westlake pulling the strings again to see Centre Rusz go under the posts for a converted Try.
Melksham gained a Scrum shortly after leading to another good set of attacking plays, a good covering tackle by Plumridge saw the ball move back centre field and a knock from Melksham was brought back by the referee for an alleged high tackle.
With the Melksham Centres making some barnstorning runs themselves, Frome defended well on the line for the next few phases with replacement Centre Ethan White making some great tackles.
The homeside would eventually run out of space and over throw the pass into touch, the following lineout be cleared well by Benstead.
Play would go back and forth for the next few minutes with both sides trying to gain a foothold, a signature straight run by Hooker Phil Clarke saw him gain valuable yards before being halted.
The final minutes became scrappy with lots of stoppages and penalties, Taylor and Hills would link well again, putting Lewis into space.
Tempers rose again which saw another disruption in play. Melksham would then attacked well with the Centre eventually crashing over from short range. The added kick seeing the final whistle being blown.
FT: Melksham RFC 14 - 22 Frome RFC
Player of the Match was awarded to Winger Bryn Lewis, making his senior debut l, who defended brilliantly and scored a superb try out wide.
This weekend Frome face another stern test when they welcome Swanage & Wareham RFC to The Lane.
