Sat 22 Feb 2025
Frome RFC 23 - 19 Swanage & Wareham RFC
Report by Trevor Osborne
On Saturday Frome RFC welcomed Swanage & Wareham to The Lane looking to build on the 3 match unbeaten run in Southern Counties South.
With a packed crowd, prior to kick off the players & supporters paid their respects with a minute’s applause to Academy player, Neo Davies, who had sadly passed away recently.
Despite playing up the slight slope, the home side started brightly and after the visitors had conceded two early penalties, Frome had a line out in the corner and after a number of phases Prop, Phil Clarke crashed over from close range.
Frome continued to threaten with both the backline and forward pack making yards deep into the opposition half.
The visitors struck back quickly when the Swans Full Back ran the ball from deep and released the Winger to score a converted try under the posts.
Scum Half, John Benstead alongside Fly Half Simon Westlake, were moving the forwards and backs around, with the pair orchestrating plays brilliantly.
Frome continued to build with Centre Cory Plumridge and replacement Eliki Bainimoli carrying well in midfield to put Frome in the right areas of the pitch.
An indiscretion at the breakdown in front of the posts gave Frome a penalty which James Howard converted to give Frome a slender 8-7 lead at the break.
HT: Frome RFC 8 - 7 Swanage & Wareham RFC
Frome started the second half strongly with forwards Colin McDulling and Joe Benning carrying well.
From a lineout in the seasiders 22, and after the forwards had completed a number of phases, the ball was shipped out to the backs and Full Back, Bryn Lewis delivered a sublime pass to put Winger, Leo Hamblin in the corner to extend Fromes lead.
Swans immediately hit back with an unconverted try to reduce the lead to just one point.
Frome continued to press and after a break in midfield the ball was worked out to Lewis who beat his man and released Hamblin again to score again in the corner.
Frome continued to dominate, and after they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts they opted to take the scrum with No.8, Alex Mallon breaking away, just to be stopped short of the line. The ball was eventually worked out to the mercurial Westlake, who danced his way through the Swans defence to score the bonus point try.
A late try Frome the visitors reduced the Frome lead to 4 points but Frome held on to record a well deserved win.
FT: Frome RFC 23 - 19 Swanage & Wareham RFC
Player of the Match was awarded to Centre, Cory Plumridge (sponsored by D3 Tape) and Fly Half, Simon Westlake. Notable mention also to Second Row, Matt McCarthy for a sublime try saving tackle in the second half.
This Saturday the Frome RFC 1st XV welcome top of the table, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC II.
