Sat 11 Oct 2025
Frome RFC v Trowbridge RFC II
Report by Matt Warnock
On Saturday 11th October the Frome RFC 1st XV welcomed local rivals Trowbridge RFC to The Lane to face their 2nd XV.
Frome also boasted a side this weekend which had a full squad of players which have represented the Minis & Juniors or Academy, a great testament to the player pathway at Frome RFC.
With the sun shining the home side kicked off proceedings and put Trowbridge under pressure from the off with a charge down of the clearance kick.
Frome won a penalty early on and kicked to the opposition 22, a chip over the top saw Frome chase through but Trowbridge gathered and cleared their lines.
The home side tested the visitors defence with Fly Half, Simon Westlake putting Josh Hills through into space, just for the Flanker to be brought down short.
Another Penalty saw a Frome line out 15m out, a great take by No.8 Alex Mallon set a brilliant platform for Scrum Half John Benstead to find Prop Ollie Andrews, who crashed his way through to dive over for the first Try of the game. The Conversion attempt going wide. (5-0)
Trowbridge had a spell of attack and showed some good movement of the ball, working their way into Frome’s 22, but the defence held firm.
The visitors then had a Scrum about 10m out front he home line, with the Scrum Half darting blind, they crossed over to score a unconverted Try. (5-5)
With play back in the visitors 22, a loose ball was kicked clear, with Winger Callum Burgess diving to tap the ball back in touch, to Hills who broke away back into the opposition half before being brought down.
A Scrum to Frome, and then a Penalty saw the home side build more momentum as the pushed forward, Winger Harrie Webster making some excellence ground before winning a penalty of his own.
Frome had plenty of chances over the next 5mins but the last pass not going to hand.
With a Trowbridge attack on the 22 a loose ball saw Frome counter with Centres Cory Plumridge and Sam Cassidy linking well with Second Row Seb Smith.
A Frome Penalty saw a kick for the corner, with Murray White finding Seb Smith, Frome went close but fumbled on the line.
Frome built pressure again, and a few metres out, Scrum Half John Benstead played a great bling pass to Second Row James Howard who went through to cross the line. Max Stickley adding the extras. (12-5)
Trowbridge had another spell of possession outside of the Frome 22, but some dominate tackles from Murray White and Geoff Taylor halted any would be attack.
HT: Frome RFC 12 - 5 Trowbridge RFC II
The visitors restarted the game, with Seb Smith gathering before a great offload to Flanker Matt Smith who broke through showing great pace before being halted on the opposition 22.
James Howard made a break from a breakdown with a pass to John Benstead, who chipped over the top but was brought down and winning the penalty.
From the Lineout, 5m out, Frome took the ball cleanly and with the full pack in flight they drove their way over the line for Murray White to dot down for the Try, Max Stickley conversion attempt just hitting the upright. (17-5)
Trowbridge showed some great forward play during the next few minutes, with multiple pick and goes found themselves just shy of the line, before diving over to score an unconverted Try. (17-10)
Frome would build following the restart and with a Scrum just outside of the opposition 22 looked to turn field position into points.
A pick from the back of the Scrum saw Alex Mallon gain valuable yards, before a quick play at the breakdown saw Simon Westlake find Cory Plumridge on a barnstorming run, being brought down 5m out.
A Frome Penalty in front of the posts saw Trowbridge lose a Player to the bin, Full Back Max Stickley slotting the points. (20-10)
The restart saw a great take and strength from Prop Ollie Andrews, who fended off a would-be tackler before offloading to Murray White, who found space before passing to Alex Mallon who broke away deep into the Trowbridge half.
With the ball going wide, Frome found replacement Joe Cagilaba who took the ball into the opposition 22. Some brilliance from Flay half Simon Westlake saw a little kick through which was gathered by the covering full back over the Try line, Westlake making a great tackle to see Frome take the Scrum.
A Trowbridge attack was soon halted when Cory Plumridge and Callum burgess combined to rip the ball which fell to Seb Smith, who galloped his way down the touch line much to the crowds delight, but was brought back when the touch judge adjudged a foot to have touched the line..
Frome were then dealt a blow when a miss timed tackle saw Winger Burgess go to the bin. However, the resulting line out was stolen by Frome who relieved the pressure with a kick down field.
Replacements saw Dan Chaventre come on in the Front Row, and Billy James drop onto the Wing.
Trowbridge built some momentum before a fumble at the back of the maul saw the scrum half knock the ball on.
After multiple scrum resets, Frome defended well turning the ball over with James Howard breaking away out of the 22.
Trowbridge regained precision shortly after, but another loose ball saw Murray White collect and break from his own 22 to the option 10 before being tackled.
A kick through from Cory Plumridge saw the ball sit up just shy of the try line. A penalty for holding on saw the quick thinking of Westlake, who tapped and dived over for the try. The conversions going just wide. (25-10)
Frome began to build the tempo, with a penalty kick to the corner Frome looked to add more points to the board, but some stern defence kept the Homeside out.
The final few minutes were played int he Trowbridge 22 but Frome were unable to find the final pass with some points certainly having gone missing.
FT: Frome RFC 25 - 10 Trowbridge RFC II
Player of the Match went to Hooker, Murray White. A special mention must go to Harrie Webster who made his Senior debut starting on the Wing, a standout performance from the young man.
This weekend the 1st XV travel to face 7th place Devizes RFC, another tough fixture on the cards as Frome look to continue winning ways.
Photos by Katie White
