Sat 8 Nov 2025
Frome welcomed Melksham to Gypsy Lane on Saturday, looking to build on their impressive away win at Marlborough the previous weekend. Before kick-off, both teams and supporters observed a two-minute silence in honour of Remembrance Sunday.
Opting to play up the hill in the first half, Frome made a strong start with powerful carries from forwards Joe Cagilaba and Josh Hill setting the tone. After several phases of sustained pressure, the ball was worked wide for winger Rob Sully to open the scoring with a well-finished try, converted by Max Stickley to give the home side an early 7–0 lead.
Straight from the restart, Frome’s forwards carried hard once again, and following an infringement at the ruck Stickley slotted the resulting penalty to extend the advantage to 10–0.
Melksham then began to find their rhythm, their big forwards making strong inroads into the Frome defence. Despite some resolute tackling from Sam Cassidy and Simon Westlake, the visitors crossed for two unconverted tries to bring the scores level at 10–10 heading into the break.
Frome introduced Cory Plumridge and James Howard at the interval, both of whom made immediate impacts as the hosts took advantage of the downhill slope in the second half. Sustained pressure in the Melksham 22 eventually saw the ball worked wide to Plumridge, who finished smartly in the corner to restore Frome’s lead.
Plumridge would star again, as he hit a perfectly timed running line following some great forward work to find the line and dot down for another score.
Frome continued to dominate territory, and as Melksham attempted to play out from their own half, Sully read the play superbly to intercept a pass and race in for the bonus-point try, again converted by Stickley.
Melksham rallied in the closing stages, scoring two late tries to reduce the deficit, but Frome held firm to secure a well-earned 29–22 victory — claiming a valuable five-point win at home.
