Sun 2 Feb 2025, 14:00
Clevedon RFC Colts v Frome RFC Academy
Report by Andy Vince
On Sunday the Frome RFC Academy XV were back in Somerset League action when they made the trip to Bristol, but with Clevedon’s pitch under water, the game was moved to Clevedon School pitches. This would provide its own challenges due to the slope in the pitch.
It was the home side that had the early chance on 2mins, being awarded a penalty just outside the Frome 22. Clevedon’s kicker stepped up and just pushed it wide.
With 8 mins gone, Frome moved up the pitch with good carries from Aelfric Bidder and Kayden Henley, going into the 22, the ball went blind feeding Zach Sibley and Harrie Webster combining nicely but unfortunately the ball was knocked on with the try line begging.
But a penalty was given and Oscar Stickley took a quick tap and fed Prop Nick Powell who crashed over from short range to score. (0-5)
Then on 15 mins, fly half Henry Williams spotted a gap in the defence and carved his way through taking Frome deep into the Clevedon territory, which resulted in a penalty which was kicked to the corner.
A good move by the forwards saw them attack the front of the line out, allowing scrum half Cam Vince to spin it out to the waiting Oscar Stickley who with some great footwork managed to get over the line to score. (0-10)
On 32 mins following some sustained pressure from Clevedon, and with Frome struggling with the penalty count, which was now going up. Clevedon went wide showing good hands to get it to the wing, and the Clevedon winger took his chance well to score under the posts. Kick made. (7-10)
On 34 mins a penalty was awarded to Clevedon and prop Oscar Stickley was awarded a yellow card.
Clevedon kicked the penalty levelling up the scores at half time. (10-10)
HT: Clevedon RFC Colts 10 - 10 Frome RFC Academy
The second half started well with Frome getting a penalty on the 10 metre line, Aelfric Bidder took a quick tap and fed Scrum half Cam Vince, who found Kieron Stacey, and out to Archie Pearn who showed great awareness to off load quickly putting Bryn Lewis, who showed good pace to go round a would be defender to score a good team try. Harry Greenwood, made the kick from out wide. (10-17)
On 41 minis Scrum Half Cam Vince made a good snipe to set up another good carry from Aelfric Bidder, the ball then went wide to Archie Pearn who chipped over the top causing chaos in the Clevedon defence, allowing the forwards to get going and Aelfric Bidder finishing off what he started and crashing over for the bonus point try. Harry Greenwood added the extras. (10-24)
The game then turned into a bit of struggle for both sides. Both teams failing to understand what was being asked of them from the referee, on 51 mins Fromes Ewan Cox and Clevedon’s number 7 were awarded yellow cards for an off the ball incident.
Then on 57 mins Bryn Lewis saw yellow, with Frome struggling again to keep the right side fo the referee.
Clevedon couldn’t make the extra men work for them and they piled on pressure, but Frome kept them out to see the final whistle.
FT: Clevedon RFC Colts 10 - 24 Frome RFC Academy
Player of the Match was awarded to Nick Powell for a powerful display in the forwards, and Will Ibbitson who worked really hard on the wing making some great tackles and running out of defence.
