Sun 8 Sep 2024, 14:00
On Sunday, Frome RFC, for the first time were able to field two Academy Teams on the same day, with one of the fixtures against Bradford on Avon RFC at Home and Sherborne Away respectively.
Frome RFC Academy v Bradford on Avon RFC Colts
Report by Andy Vince
Frome Academy welcomed Bradford on Avon to the lane this Sunday, with such a big squad, the other half were playing away at Sherborne.
Frome started the game well gaining a penalty on 3 mins, with Will Sharpe slotting over from in front of the posts.
Frome managed to keep possession for the first 15 mins without Bradford getting a hand on the ball, with half back pairing of Cam Vince and Will Sharpe working well together for the first time. Some hard running from Ewan Cox and props Isaac Cornish and Oscar Stickley causing the Bradford defence problems.
But on the 15 mins mark Bradford were awarded a penalty and kicked for the corner, and a well executed line out and drive allowed them to get the first try of the game. 3 - 5
Then on 19 mins Bradford were over again, with Frome losing concentration and the ball going to the Bradford centre who showed great power and pace to beat five would be defenders to go under the posts to score. Extras added. 3 - 12
Frome managed to get their composure back and started to protect the ball again and with centres Bryn Lewis and Harry Webster starting to make ground Frome were going forward well.
On 30 mins Archie Coleman ran a strong line and was found by Will Sharpe and went through the gap to score 8 - 12.
HT Frome RFC Academy 8 - 12 Bradford on Avon RFC Colts
Second half started well for Frome and on 47 mins Frome gained a line out in a good area of the pitch, a good catch and drive with Scrum half Cam Vince ushering them forward then released the backs with Archie Coleman breaking through the line to score under the posts. Sharpe added the extras. 15 - 12
Both sides were giving it their all, with Frome forwards making some big hits in midfield, with Kayden Henley doing a great job as pack leader. Hooker Dom Evans making some hard runs and Flanker Kimi Eddicott making some trademark tackles.
But it was Bradford that hit back first on 67mins with a quick tap that caught Frome out, Bradford managed to keep the ball alive despite some last ditch tackles. 15 - 17
Frome kept up the pressure and kept pressing hard, with Full back Zac Sibley trying his best to make the most of each counter attack,
Just as time was running out on 79 mins Frome took to the short side just outside the Bradford 22, and Archie Coleman again managed to brake the gain line and got behind the defence, managing to get his hands free he feed supporting Centre Bryne Lewis who did the rest and ran in the try. 20 - 17
Frome started the game well gaining a penalty on 3 mins, with Will Sharpe slotting over from in front of the posts.
Frome managed to keep possession for the first 15 mins without Bradford getting a hand on the ball, with half back pairing of Cam Vince and Will Sharpe working well together for the first time. Some hard running from Ewan Cox and props Isaac Cornish and Oscar Stickley causing the Bradford defence problems.
But on the 15 mins mark Bradford were awarded a penalty and kicked for the corner, and a well executed line out and drive allowed them to get the first try of the game. 3 - 5
Then on 19 mins Bradford were over again, with Frome losing concentration and the ball going to the Bradford centre who showed great power and pace to beat five would be defenders to go under the posts to score. Extras added. 3 - 12
Frome managed to get their composure back and started to protect the ball again and with centres Bryn Lewis and Harry Webster starting to make ground Frome were going forward well.
On 30 mins Archie Coleman ran a strong line and was found by Will Sharpe and went through the gap to score 8 - 12.
HT Frome RFC Academy 8 - 12 Bradford on Avon RFC Colts
Second half started well for Frome and on 47 mins Frome gained a line out in a good area of the pitch, a good catch and drive with Scrum half Cam Vince ushering them forward then released the backs with Archie Coleman breaking through the line to score under the posts. Sharpe added the extras. 15 - 12
Both sides were giving it their all, with Frome forwards making some big hits in midfield, with Kayden Henley doing a great job as pack leader. Hooker Dom Evans making some hard runs and Flanker Kimi Eddicott making some trademark tackles.
But it was Bradford that hit back first on 67mins with a quick tap that caught Frome out, Bradford managed to keep the ball alive despite some last ditch tackles. 15 - 17
Frome kept up the pressure and kept pressing hard, with Full back Zac Sibley trying his best to make the most of each counter attack,
Just as time was running out on 79 mins Frome took to the short side just outside the Bradford 22, and Archie Coleman again managed to brake the gain line and got behind the defence, managing to get his hands free he feed supporting Centre Bryne Lewis who did the rest and ran in the try. 20 - 17
FT Frome RFC Academy 20 - 17 Bradford on Avon RFC Colts
Some fine performances and was really proud how the players kept going right to the end. Everyone put in a shift today. Player of the Match went to Archie Coleman, who made a difference when he came on and ran some great lines.
Sherborne RFC Colts v Frome RFC Academy
Report by James Newbry
On Sunday In Dorset, Sherborne RFC played host to the other Frome Academy side.
The home side started strongly and had repeated carries into the Frome half, which almost led to a try. But Jonas Mills and Rufus Phelps worked well together to hold the ball up, on the line.
Frome continued to repeal the attacking home side, with Callum Burgess and Brennan Doyle attacking well, into space.
With less than ten minutes on the clock, Frome had good ball off the top of the line out and fly-half Fin Van Gorph kicked well into space. Frome attacked off first phase, Van Gorph flicked the ball to centre Toby Cassidy, who steamed past the defence to score. For a 0 - 7 lead.
More good pressure from Frome continued, Freddie Corp was narrowly tackled short of line after good carries from Ollie Andrews and Nick Powell.
After twenty minutes, Rob Norris stole the ball on the floor and gave the backs time and space. Hands from Alfie Newbery, and Van Gorph sent Burgess down the wing, he offloaded to full back Doyle, who finished excellently in the corner. Frome took a 0 - 12
Ten minutes later, simple hands from Sherborne led to a try in middle of field. The score was 7 - 12.
The last play of the half, was a great passing exchange between Burgess and Harry Greenwood. A try was narrowly missed. The score remained 7 - 12 at half-time.
The second half began with a loose kick from Sherborne. It was gathered by Archie Pearn, who stepped and put Cassidy into space. He gassed the back three and offloaded to Greenwood in support, who ran in unopposed. Van Gorph kicked extras to make the score 7 - 19.
Sherborne countered well, but a series of tackles from Phelps and James Masters kept the home side at bay.
Ten minutes later, Frome hit their straps. Coast to coast attack stretched the opposition. Following great scrum for Frome, scrum-half Newbery unleashed backs, with Doyle weaving in and out of the defence, as he had done all game, only to be tackled just short of the line.
With Frome on top. Aelfric Bidder and Norris dived on loose ball and Pearn found some space. He beat the on rushing defence to score a brilliant individual try under the posts. 7 - 24
In the closing minutes of the game, following an attacking scrum, Attacking scrum, Bidder bulldozed over. Van Gorph converted the extras, to leave the final score at 7 - 31.
FT Sherborne RFC Colts 07 - 31Frome RFC Academy
Player of the Match went to Fin van Gorph who controlled the game brilliantly at fly half, dominating play with the boot.
Frome RFC Academy Head Coach, Will Pearn commented following both games "What an amazing achievement for the club to field 2 Academy teams on the same day. Also, to win both of those games shows the dedication of both the Players and Coaches.
We have strength and depth in all positions, which is great for us. We have a hard 2 weeks in front of us with our 1st league game next week, followed by the national cup"
