Sat 8 Feb 2025
Dorchester RFC 10 - 25 Frome RFC
Report by Trevor Osborne
The visitors started strongly with inspired skipper Geoff Taylor leading from the front and making metres whenever he got his hands on the ball.
The first 20 minutes saw Frome apply constant pressure on the home defence but dropped catches at crucial times mixed with solid defence kept the visitors at bay.
Against the run of play the home side broke out of defence and the Winger followed up his own kick ahead to charge down the attempted clearance and score a converted try to give the Dorset side the lead.
Frome struck back from the kick off as Centre, Cory Plumridge gathered the kick and set off on a trademark run only to be stopped short of the line but great hands by Taylor put Fly Half, Simon Westlake over for the try, the conversion from out wide was missed.
Dorchester then had a period of pressure on the Frome line but a great steal at the breakdown by No.8, Alex Mallon released the pressure.
Frome continued to press and after the ball was run out of defence by Winger Leo Hamblin, the forwards with Matt McCarthy and Colin McDulling carrying hard created space for Full Back Darrell Thompson to drift through a gap in the defence to give Frome a 10-7 lead at half time.
HT: Dorchester RFC 7 - 10 Frome RFC
Dorchester started the second half strongly and levelled the scores when their Fly Half converting a penalty in front of the posts.
Frome took control of the game and continued to build pressure on the home line. The pressure was rewarded when after a line out close to the line and a number of phases sublime hands by Second Row, James Howard put Winger, Rob Sully away in the corner to increase the visitors lead.
Frome continued to press and were denied twice when both Howard and Mallon were adjudged to have been held up over the line.
From a resulting goal line drop out the ball was carried back with intent and after the forwards had set up a ruck close to the line Sully dived over for his second and Fromes fourth try.
Frome completed the scoring when Flanker, Josh Hills crashed over from close range to cap a good all round performance.
FT: Dorchester RFC 10 - 25 Frome RFC
Player of the Match was awarded to Captain, Geoff Taylor (sponsored by Ford Fuels).
On Saturday the 1st XV travel to Wiltshire to face 9th place Melksham RFC 1st XV.
