Sat 26 Oct 2019, 15:00
In very wet and windy conditions the Frome RFC 3rd XV were put under pressure from the start from a very strong home side.
Cheddar were camped in the Frome half for the first 20 minutes, earning a well worked try to take the lead 7 - 0.
A quick penalty after the restart saw Cheddar use the wind to their advantage as they kicked for posts to take a 10 - 0 lead.
It was only a great intercepted pass by Fromes Rich Trott that prevented Cheddar extending their lead - as carried from Trott and Will Button moved the play toward the home try line.
Huge efforts from Steve Ruddick, Dan Castle and Dan Chaventre at the rucks allowed Frome to retain possession deep in the Cheddar half. As play started to turn in Fromes favour it was Winger Mitch Phillips who eventually cross the line. Fullback Toby Reilly and the conversion.
As Frome gathered momentum, the introduction of replacements kept the pressure on Cheddar who were also inter-changing players given their larger than normal match day squad.
But it was the Frome line outs that were proving successful, with a driving maul allowing Chaventre to cross over the line just before half time. Despite the flags going up, the kick wasn't given by the referee.
With several injuries, Frome started the 2nd half with no recognised Scrum Half, a patched up pack and a backline made up of players playing out of position - not deterred as Cheddar made yet more changes it was the the Frome pack holding possession and the backs making the ground - strong tackles from Loukas Ives and Button prevented Cheddar getting an early foothold in the 2nd half and shortly after Frome’s Stuart Elliott dived over for for his first try of the season.
With 10 minutes to go and no remaining subs, Frome had to stand firm as Cheddar Valley made more changes - Who looked to threaten the wide channels, but with Phillip's and Jamie Cooley standing firm, Cheddar were met with a hard working Frome defence that unfortunately couldn't hold out.
Cheddar eventually scored and converted making it 17 all with minutes to go.
Frome continued to hold out the home side and saw the game out with know more scoring.
Final score:
Cheddar Valley RFC II 17 - 17 Frome RFC III
Man of the match, sponsored by The Old Bath Arms, Frome went to Loukas Ives.
The Frome RFC 3rd XV sir too of Tribute Somerset 3 South and are back I. League action on Saturday 9th at home against Wincanton RFC.
