Sat 4 Oct 2025
Frome RFC II v Combe Down RFC II
Report by Andy Vince
First league match of the season at the lane, and Frome welcomed Combe Down with the weather playing its part with the wind blowing across the pitch by storm Amy.
The first half started really well for the home side. A big carry by Prop Ollie Andrews set up a further carry by the next pod with Dumo Ndlovu breaking the gain line. Frome managed to get into the away 22, and Nulovu again benefited from some solid forwards work to crash over for the first score of the match. (5-0)
From the resulting kick off, the forwards worked the ball up field, when fly half Fin Van Gorph put number 8, Ethan White through a gap, only for the captain to be brought down just short of the line.
Combe Down attempted to kick their way out of their 22 but the wind kept the ball in field, Full back Darell Thompson linked up well with winger John Spencer. The support rucked over well and scrum half Cam Vince got the ball away well, to 2nd row veteran Stu Elliott who managed to beat a would be tackler to cross the line. (10-0)
On 16 mins a quick tap by Andrews lead to another penalty just out side the away teams 22, White then broke through and looked to have scored only to be judge to be held up. But again good pressure from the home side, who were really showing good dominance in the set piece and open play.
On 20 mins following another good set piece line out from Frome. Ndlovu, broke blind and feed flanker Matt Smith who threw the dummy and went through the gap, and still with a fair way to go romped home and touched down under the posts. Fin Van Gorph added the extra points. (17-0)
Frome then took their foot off the acclerator and allowed Combe Down some pressure of their own. On 33 mins Combe Down were awarded a penalty just outside the Frome 22, which they elected to kick for posts gaining the three points. (17-3)
Then from this kick, Combe Down managed to get back into the Frome 22 with a great kick using the wind. Pressure mounted and Combe Down were awarded a 5 metre scrum, from this scrum their number 8 picked up, beat two tackles to spin off and touch down in the corner. (17-8)
With some choice words from the coaching team under the posts, the Frome team hit back straight away, the forwards connecting together, White, Ndlovu making great inroads into the Combe Down defence, with Vince and Van Gorph keeping the temp going and bossing their forwards, hooker Phil Clarke gave a trademark run getting over the gain line, and with flanker Dom Evans on hand to take the off load, and getting over the line under the posts to touch down. Van Gorph added the extras. (24-8)
HT: Frome RFC II 24-8 Combe Down RFC II
Half time substitutions saw Gordon Grieson and Alex Witt come on in the front row, for Andrews and Isaac Cornish. Callum Burgess came on for Billy James with Max Stickley coming on for Centre Mike Rutt.
Frome kicked off the second half with a really nice kick from Van Gorph which bounced kindly into the 22 of Combe Down.
The resulting line went badly for the away side and the ball fell loose, hooker Alex Witt seized on this opportunity and jumped on the loose ball as it crossed over the try line to score. (29-8)
Frome attacked well again finding gaps, the next venture into the Combe Down half saw scrum half Vince snipe blind feeding Stuart Elliott who drew the last man to put Matt Smith in for his second score. (34-8)
Ethan White made a great break and looked like he was going to run it in from the half line, but was again caught as he entered the away teams 22, Vince arrived quickly and again went blind and fed winger Josh Bird who with the line at his begging, lost his footing due to some uneven ground and tripped over just a metre from the line.
Then totally against the run of play, Frome dropped a pass in midfield just outside the Combe Down 22. Combe Down fly hacking it down field and the ball sat up just nicely for their player as he ran on to it despite a valiant effort from Josh Bird, but the try was scored. (34-13)
Then came the try of the match, Combe Down were attacking and came into the Frome half, Combe Downs fly half chipped over the top into the Frome 22, full back Max Stickley took the ball in his stride and beat the first defender, accelerating passed the next he reached the ten metre line, breaking out of a tackle kept going and managed to run the length of the field before touching down in the corner. (39 - 13)
Substitutions Billy James came on for Cam Vince, Ollie Phipps came on for Stuart Elliott.
Frome were camped in the Combe Down 22 now, and pressure was increasing, Frome remained patient in their defence which forced the Combe Down scrum half to throw a wild pass which the fly half couldn’t hold, Billy James didn’t need asking twice, and pounced on the mistake to touch down and score. (44 - 13)
Frome hadn’t quite finished, with some quick rucking and with Combe Down defence struggling Frome worked the ball to Captain Ethan White who strolled over the line to get his try. (49 -13)
FT: Frome RFC II 49-13 Combe Down RFC II
Player of the Match went to Captain Ethan White, lead the side well and made some great line breaks, good in defence as well.
This was a great way to start our league campaign, with a mixture of youth and experience we have set out a good marker for the season ahead.
